Biden on health status: I promise you, I'm doing well
**US-President Joe Biden continues to fiercely resist doubts about his mental fitness. "We need to get this work done. And I promise you, I'm feeling good," said the 81-year-old at a campaign event in the battleground state of Michigan on Friday. He reaffirmed his commitment to running and winning the presidency against his rival Donald Trump. Twenty-four former Democratic congressmembers called on Biden to withdraw.
Biden held two campaign events in Michigan, a crucial state for the presidential election in November: After dinner with supporters in Northville, he gave a speech in the city of Detroit. There, he ruled out a withdrawal from the race once again. "There have been a lot of speculation lately. What will Joe Biden do? Will he stay in the race? Will he drop out?", Biden said. "Here's my answer: I'm running and we're going to win." The crowd cheered in unison: "Don't give up!"
Despite Biden's defiant stance, pressure from within his own ranks grew even stronger: Twenty-four former Democratic congressmembers signed an open letter to the "American people" urging Biden not to seek re-nomination. Biden should relieve the delegates of their obligation to vote for him at the party convention in August, they argued, and instead allow others to run for the presidency in November.
"We are confident that one or more qualified democratic candidates will step forward", write the signatories in the letter, as quoted by the news outlet "Politico". Biden's "integrity and vision" remain unchanged, his friends in the Democratic Party note in their letter. "However, the energy and stamina that the President needs for the campaign and another term in office are no longer present."
In their letter, the 24 ex-congressmembers made it clear that they were not only concerned about the presidency but also about the possibility of the Congress falling into Republican hands. "If the worst should happen and we are confronted with another term of Trump", the Democrats would at least need the Congress "to protect our freedom and the rule of law from complete Republican control".**
- During the election campaign appearance in Michigan, You (formal) were asked about your health status, and Biden replied, "I'm feeling good."
- Despite the election campaign appearance in Michigan, some former Democratic congressmembers, including those who signed the open letter, raised concerns about Biden's health status and capacity to run for another term.
- In response to the pressure from within his own ranks, Biden's health status and election campaign in Michigan were both discussed in an open letter by 24 former Democratic congressmembers, expressing concern over his stamina for another term and the preservation of Congress from falling into Republican hands if Trump were re-elected.
