US President Joe Biden made a firm commitment to continue in the White House race despite facing a growing revolt from within his own Democratic party.
“The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” the 81-year-old said in a statement from the Delaware beach home where he is in Covid isolation.
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week,” Biden added, as his doctor said the president was bouncing back from the symptoms of the disease.
Speculation had been swirling that Biden might withdraw from the race as early as this weekend, but he remained resolute in his decision to stay in the race.
However, Biden’s political support continued to dwindle, with ten more House Democrats and two senators calling on him to step down from the upcoming election against Donald Trump.
Concerns about Biden’s age and health had been raised following a disappointing debate performance against Trump, leading to a wave of calls for him to withdraw from the race.
Even key supporters like Silicon Valley investor Michael Moritz and actor George Clooney were urging Biden to step aside, and reports indicated that top Democrats were also expressing doubts about his candidacy.
“Sadly, President Biden has a choice — vanity or virtue,” the New York Times quoted Moritz as saying.
With Trump gaining momentum in polls and fundraising efforts slowing down, pressure was mounting on Biden to reconsider his decision to stay in the race.
NBC News reported that some of Biden’s family had “discussed what an exit from his campaign might look like” although there was no final decision to do so.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the front-runner to succeed him as the Democratic presidential candidate if Biden does drop out, was holding an emergency call with donors on Friday.
Biden’s campaign however pushed back against reports that he would bow out, saying that while there had been some “slippage” in support, he was still the best candidate.
“Absolutely the president’s in this race,” campaign chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon told MSNBC’s Morning Joe program. “Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”
