President Biden has urged his fellow Democratic lawmakers to unite behind him in his bid to defeat Donald Trump.
President Joe Biden has reiterated his commitment to seeking a second term in office this November, addressing concerns raised by his fellow Democrats about his candidacy. In a letter to Democratic lawmakers, Biden dismissed speculation about his future in the race, urging them to ignore media narratives.
The debate over Biden’s candidacy has intensified following a recent debate with Republican rival Donald Trump. Concerns have been raised about the 81-year-old’s mental health, with some pointing to his performance in the debate where he appeared frail, struggled to articulate his thoughts, and exhibited moments of confusion.
However, in his letter to Congress on Monday, Biden emphasized his unwavering commitment to the 2024 presidential race, calling on lawmakers to rally behind his campaign.
“I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump,” Biden wrote.
Addressing concerns about his mental health, Biden stated that he has engaged in “extensive conversation” with both party leaders and voters, acknowledging the concerns raised.
“I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024,” the president wrote.
He further emphasized his strong standing within the Democratic party, highlighting that he garnered over 14 million votes during the nomination process, representing 87% of the votes cast, securing him the presumptive presidential nomination “by a wide margin.”
“The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end,” Biden insisted, calling on Democrats to “come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
However, according to Axios, a growing number of senior Democrats are pushing for Biden to withdraw from the race by the end of this week. The outlet reports that many House members and senators believe that calls for the president to step down will intensify over time, with one senior Democratic operative stating that “every day that goes by is a disaster.”