NewsBiden vows to stay in race, calls for end to political theatrics

Biden vows to stay in race, calls for end to political theatrics

Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Images source: © PAP | PAP/EPA/DIEU-NIALO CHERY
Tomasz Waleński

13 July 2024 19:33, updated: 13 July 2024 19:45

-You made me the nominee. You the voters. You decided. No one else. And I’m not going anywhere. (...) I am running and we're going to win. I'm not going to change that - said Joe Biden, thus cutting off speculation about withdrawing from the election campaign.

Joe Biden met with voters in Detroit. Reuters summarises the rally, stating that the president "aimed to revitalise his faltering re-election campaign" with this event. Biden said he has no intention of withdrawing from the race and warned that Republican Donald Trump poses a serious threat.

The White House leader tried to shift the narrative around his campaign, focusing on the president's health. Biden also presented his plans for the first 100 days of his second term, including regulating abortion rights, signing a voting rights bill, ending healthcare sector debt, raising the minimum wage, and banning assault weapons.

Biden fights for re-election

According to NBC News, during the rally, some Biden supporters expressed frustration with efforts by some Democrats to remove the incumbent president from the election race. They believe this weakens the party and benefits his political opponent, Donald Trump.

One of those criticising the calls for Biden to step down was Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. On Friday, two prominent Democrats - Congressman James Clyburn and California Governor Gavin Newsom - stated that Biden should stay in the race for the White House.

Biden campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler estimated that during Biden's Thursday evening press conference, donations to the incumbent president's election fund "exploded," reaching seven times the usual level.

A poll by NPR/PBS published on Friday shows Biden leading Trump 50 percent to 48 percent, a slight increase compared with a survey conducted before the presidential candidates' debate on 27 June. Reuters notes that since then, at least 19 Democratic lawmakers have called for Biden to step down. Democrats could then choose another candidate.

Some analysts point out that Biden is losing ground in several "swing states" that will decide the outcome of the November elections. "If current trends continue, Mr Trump could rack up one of the most decisive presidential victories since 2008," predicted Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik in the "New York Times."

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