US election campaign - Biden sets course for confrontation within the party
In the debate over Joe Biden's physical fitness for a second term as US President, the Democrat goes on the offensive and uses confrontational tones against party colleagues. At the beginning of the week, the 81-year-old sent a clear message to Democrats in Congress with a pointed letter and made an unusual appearance in a live broadcast on US morning television.
Biden's message before the NATO summit in Washington was unequivocal: He made it clear that he would not step down from the presidential campaign, and he called on his colleagues to end the public debate about it.
To doubters within his party who have spoken out for an alternative candidate, he said on MSNBC's Morning Program: "Bring it on... Challenge me at the party convention!" In addition, he expressed frustration with "know-it-all elites" in his own ranks.
In the letter to congressional Democrats, Biden, in sharp tones, emphasized that the democratic process could not be thrown overboard after the primary elections. The letter was also made available to CNN and the "New York Times."
"I've heard the concerns of the people"
Millions of women and men had already cast their votes for him, he wrote in the letter, which should be acknowledged: "Are we just saying the process means nothing? That voters have no say? I refuse to do that." He regretted his disastrous TV debate performance against Republican challenger Donald Trump at the end of June. "I really regret that it happened."
Biden declared in the letter that he had conducted extensive talks with party leaders, elected officials, and voters. "I've listened to the concerns of the people - their well-intentioned fears and concerns about what's at stake in this election. I am not blind to them," he wrote. He would not run again if he was not absolutely convinced that he was the best candidate to beat Trump. Biden urged the debate over his fitness as a candidate to come to an end - it only played into Trump's hands and harmed the party.
Rare morning television appearance
Several Democratic representatives had publicly called in recent days for Biden to make way for a new candidate or expressed their doubts about his ability to win against Trump. Other congressional members have not spoken out so drastically but have expressed concern. During the upcoming congressional session, there are calculations with dissenters.
Responding to a series of well-known media and politicians who have called for his withdrawal as the right way forward, Biden told MSNBC that it did not concern him. As in the letter, he also put his political differences with Trump in the foreground during the phone call, warned against a Trump presidency, labeled Trump a notorious liar, and reminded of the Capitol storm.
That the Democrat turned on his live television during his offensive is unusual. Former President Trump used to make similar calls regularly at the right-conservative network Fox News. Biden was previously unknown for such spontaneous appearances. MSNBC is considered favorable to Democrats.
- Biden, during a live broadcast on MSNBC's Morning Program, challenged any party colleagues doubting his fitness for a second term to face him at the party convention.
- In his letter to Democrats in Congress, Biden defended his decision to continue his presidential campaign, highlighting the millions of votes already cast in his favor.
- Biden expressed frustration with "know-it-all elites" within his own party and emphasized the importance of maintaining the democratic process after the primary elections.
- During the NATO summit in Washington, Biden made it clear that he would not step down from the presidential campaign, urging an end to the public debate about his fitness as a candidate.
- Several Democratic representatives have recently called for Biden to step aside or expressed doubts about his ability to win against Trump, but Biden remained undeterred by these criticisms.
- millions of women and men have already cast their votes for Biden, and he urged Democrats to acknowledge the significance of this support instead of casting doubt on the democratic process.
- In response to media and politicians calling for his withdrawal, Biden told MSNBC that he was not concerned and continued to highlight the dangers of a Trump presidency.
- Biden's live television appearance on MSNBC was unusual for him, as he is not typically known for spontaneous appearances on television; MSNBC is considered favorable towards Democrats.
