Debate debacle - Joe Biden is not thinking about quitting: "I will fight even harder"
US-President Joe Biden continues his campaign externally unfazed after the TV debacle and dismisses calls for withdrawal. The 81-year-old held fundraisers in New Jersey and the Hamptons near New York on Saturday. The Hamptons are known as a weekend getaway destination for the rich and famous.
"I understand the concerns after the debate," admitted the 81-year-old to traveling press at one of the exclusive and non-public events. "I had a bad night, but I'll fight harder." Biden's campaign team also made it clear that he intends to stay in the race for the White House. Discussions between Biden and his family about the debate and its potential consequences were reportedly on the agenda at a family meeting.
Biden engaged in a TV duel with his Republican opponent and former president Donald Trump on Thursday evening (local time). Both aim to return to the White House after the presidential election in November. According to polls, the race is currently a dead heat. Biden's performance, however, was a disaster - he lost the thread, mumbled, stared blankly into space, and often couldn't finish his sentences. Following the debate, a debate has erupted in the US about whether the 81-year-old is the right candidate for the Democrats. "President Biden should step down from the race," the "New York Times" wrote in an opinion piece.
Biden gathers with family at Camp David
Biden's campaign team countered this over the weekend. "There was only one person who didn't deserve to run as a presidential candidate in the debate. The sooner Trump leaves the stage, the better it will be for the country," read an email to party supporters. The data would show that the debate had not changed public perception of the American people. "Joe Biden will be the Democratic candidate, period," read another text. A "Bedwetter Brigade" was calling for Biden to withdraw.
Biden traveled to Camp David, the presidential retreat near Washington, on Saturday evening (local time). There, he was reportedly planning to discuss the future of his campaign with his family, according to NBC. The White House denied this. The approach of the report was not correct. The government headquarters emphasized that the trip had been planned before the debate.
Decision lies with Biden
Before that, Biden was reportedly greeted by demonstrators in East Hampton, New York, on his way to a fundraising event. They held signs that read, for example, "We love you, but it's time" or "Step aside for democracy." So far, the first rank of the Democratic Party has remained closed behind Biden. However, the coming days could be decisive. Polls could then show whether Biden's weak performance with voters will have an impact.
At the Democratic Party convention in August in Chicago, Biden is expected to be officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate. He has already gathered the necessary delegate votes for this during the primaries - the nominating convention at least so far has been purely formal. Theoretically, it is possible for the party to make a sudden shift and drop Biden from the race. For this to happen, Biden himself would have to pave the way and withdraw. Observers consider this unlikely. And even if such a case were to occur, the question arises, who could follow Biden in the race against the 78-year-old Trump.
Search for a potential alternative difficult
The natural successor would be Vice President Kamala Harris. The 59-year-old is, however, very unpopular and would hardly be the first choice. Whether she would voluntarily step aside is completely open. A name that comes up is Gavin Newsom. The 56-year-old governor of the liberal US state of California has been eyeing the White House for a long time. However, it is questionable whether the eloquent full-blooded politician, who was once mayor of San Francisco, would resonate with the rural population. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the 52-year-old jurist, is also mentioned as an option. She can look back on a long career in politics and is part of the leadership circle of the Democratic Party. Due to her relatively strict coronavirus politics, she has become the enemy image of many Republicans.
For many Democrats and Democrats, Michelle Obama, the former First Lady and wife of Ex-President Barack Obama, is regarded as a beacon. Calls for her to enter the race for the White House continue to be made. She has always rejected them. A sudden change of heart is considered very unlikely. Many observers dismiss the discussion about an alternative to Biden as mere speculation. On the one hand, it is much too late, only four months before the election, to bet on a new horse. On the other hand, Biden himself does not seem to be considering throwing in the towel.
First Lady Jill Biden in the spotlight
Recently, the focus has shifted to First Lady Jill Biden. A video clip of her after the debate caused laughter. In it, she praised her husband excessively after the debate for "answering all the questions." The Bidens have been married for 47 years. Jill Biden is considered the closest confidante of the US President, the word of the 73-year-old carries weight. She publicly stood behind her husband after the botched TV debate. "Joe is not just the right person for this job," she said at a fundraising event on Saturday. "He is the only person for the job."
- Despite the criticism after the debate, US President Joe Biden held fundraisers in New Jersey and the Hamptons near New York, indicating his commitment to the Presidential election.
- Despite calls for withdrawal from some quarters, Joe Biden's campaign team made it clear that he intends to stay in the race for the White House, following the controversial TV debate with Donald Trump.
- Although the "New York Times" suggested that President Biden should step down from the race after the debate, Biden was met with supportive demonstrators in New York, showing his strong base among Democrats.
- In the aftermath of the debate, discussions about potential successors to Joe Biden, such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, or Gretchen Whitmer, have surfaced, but it is considered unlikely that Biden will withdraw from the Presidential election.
