U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 28, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
President Joe Biden affirmed on Friday his intention to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the upcoming November presidential election, showing no indication that he would consider withdrawing from the race despite a subpar debate performance that caused concern among his fellow Democrats.
“I am here in North Carolina for one reason: because I intend to win this state in November,” Biden stated at a rally in the battleground state, one day following his head-to-head debate with his Republican opponent. The debate was widely perceived as a defeat for the 81-year-old president. “I am aware that I am not a young man, to state the obvious,” Biden added, buoyed by a crowd chanting, “four more years.” “I would not be running again if I did not believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job. The stakes are too high,” he asserted.
Biden’s verbal stumbles and sometimes wandering responses during the debate increased voter concerns regarding his fitness to serve another four-year term. These concerns also prompted some Democrats to question whether a replacement candidate should be considered for the November 5 U.S. election. Conversely, Trump, 78, disseminated a series of falsehoods and deflected questions throughout the debate, but the post-debate focus remained primarily on Biden, especially among Democrats.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, did not directly respond when asked if he still supported Biden’s candidacy. “I support the ticket. I support the Senate Democratic majority. We will do everything possible to reclaim the House in November. Thank you, everyone,” he told reporters. Other Democrats indicated they would evaluate their options in the coming days. Representative Jim McGovern, when asked if another nominee should be considered, said, “I have not come to any conclusion yet.”
The Biden campaign announced it raised $14 million on Thursday and Friday, with its best single hour of fundraising immediately following the Thursday night debate. The Trump campaign reported raising $8 million on the night of the debate. Biden, the oldest American president in history, faced minimal opposition during the party’s lengthy nominating process and has secured sufficient support to guarantee his position as the Democratic nominee. Similarly, former President Trump overcame his intra-party challengers early in the year, setting the stage for a prolonged and contentious general election campaign.
Three columnists from the New York Times’ left-leaning opinion section have called on Biden to withdraw from the race. One Biden donor, requesting anonymity, described his performance as “disqualifying” and anticipated that some Democrats would revisit the idea of him stepping aside. This would provide the party time to select another nominee at its national convention starting on August 19—a potentially complex process that could involve Vice President Kamala Harris and other officeholders whose names have been suggested as possible replacements.
“If he made this decision, it is important that we use it to our advantage,” Democratic Representative Katie Porter stated at a conference in Colorado. Democratic officials, however, downplayed this possibility. “It is not likely to happen,” Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu said on CNN. A campaign staffer, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration with Biden’s performance and hoped it would prompt top strategists to reconsider their approach. Nonetheless, other aides and allies privately conveyed that they did not believe the backlash would jeopardize his chances of securing the nomination.
Senior Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and potential replacements like California Governor Gavin Newsom, reaffirmed their support for Biden. “Stay the course. Chill out,” Representative Jim Clyburn advised.
Interviews with undecided voters confirmed that it was a challenging night for Biden. They described his performance as weak, embarrassing, and difficult to watch. The Trump campaign released a video on Friday highlighting Biden’s missteps. “Last night the world saw who he is. He is unfit to serve,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated. A Republican adviser, speaking anonymously, indicated the debate would assist them in competing in Democratic-leaning states such as Virginia and Minnesota. Trump fundraisers reported enthusiastic responses from donors. “Anyone who raises money knows there is a time to approach donors, and this is one of those critical moments,” said Ed McMullen, who served as ambassador to Switzerland during Trump’s presidency.
As Trump supporters gathered hours in advance of a rally in Virginia, some expressed concerns about Biden’s poor performance. “I am worried they will replace him with someone more competitive,” said Mike Boatman, who has attended over 90 Trump rallies. Questions about Trump’s fitness for office have also arisen following his recent conviction in New York for covering up hush money payments to a porn star, his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and his tumultuous term in office.
The 90-minute debate at CNN headquarters in Atlanta occurred more than four months before the election, which might lessen the impact for Biden as the memory of his performance fades and other news events capture headlines. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in New York on July 11, just days before the Republican Party formally nominates him. He still faces three other criminal indictments, although none are expected to go to trial before November.
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