I'm doing well
Biden conducted two campaign appearances in the battleground state of Michigan, which is crucial for the presidential election in November: After having dinner with supporters in Northville, Biden gave a speech in the city of Detroit. There, he ruled out a withdrawal from his campaign once again. "There have been a lot of speculations 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!"
Following his chaotic and confusing performance in the television debate with Trump about two weeks ago, the oldest president in US history, who is 81 years old, is now facing a broader debate about his physical and mental fitness for another term in the White House - even within his own party.
With two new major gaffes, Biden fueled doubts about his mental fitness on Thursday. The 81-year-old referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and called Vice President Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump."
In Detroit, Biden tried to shift the focus onto his Republican rival Trump instead. "Americans want a president, not a dictator," Biden said to great applause. Regarding a comment Trump made that he would become a "dictator" after a victory in November, Biden vowed to resist: "Not over my dead body."
While Biden gave a defiant response, the pressure from within his own ranks grew even greater: 24 former Democratic congressmembers signed an open letter to the "American people" against a potential Biden re-nomination. They urged Biden to release the delegates from their pledge to vote for him at the August nominating convention and instead allow other candidates to run for the presidential election in November.
"We are confident that one or more qualified democratic candidates will step up," the signatories wrote in the letter, as quoted by the news portal "Politico." Biden's "integrity and vision" remain unchanged, his friends in the Democratic Party noted 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 former 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 wrote, "at least we would need the Congress to protect our freedom and the rule of law from complete Republican control."
- During his campaign visits in Michigan, a critical state for the upcoming US-President election, Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to stay in the race.
- Even amidst speculations about his withdrawal from the presidential election, Biden maintained his stance, declaring, "I'm running and we're going to win."
- The focus on Joe Biden's fitness for another term in the White House has intensified following his chaotic performance in a debate with Donald Trump.
- The concern over Biden's fitness has also sparked a debate within his own party, with 24 former Democratic congressmembers urging him to allow other candidates to run in the presidential election.
- In Detroit, Biden diverted attention away from his own challenges, criticizing Trump for wanting to become a "dictator" if he wins the election in November.
- The pressure on Biden to step down has increased, with some Democrats fearing that another term of Trump could lead to the Congress falling into Republican hands.
