Biden has no plans to drop out of presidential race, White House says

President Joe Biden has no plans to drop out of the 2024 presidential race despite calls for his withdrawal following a poor performance in last week’s debate, the White House said on Wednesday, News.Az reported, citing Anadolu Agency.

“Absolutely not,” spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters when asked if Biden was considering leaving. “And you’ve heard directly from the campaign as well.”

Asked if Biden would resign if he suspended his campaign, the spokeswoman said: “Absolutely not.”

She said Biden has “been in touch” in recent days with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Jim Clyburn, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chris Coons.

The president will also meet with more than 20 Democratic governors later Wednesday.

Speaking at a fundraiser on Tuesday night, Biden reportedly blamed his poor — and some felt it was disappointing — debate performance on jet lag and too much travel.

Reporters asked Jean-Pierre about the debacle, with one asking whether Biden really needed more than a week and a half to recover from his trip.

Jean-Pierre noted that the president had said: “The debate was not his best night” and added that this was not an excuse but an explanation.

“In addition to those two major trips, he continued to fulfill his presidential duties. He worked late, doing so, and he also prepared for the debate. And on top of that, obviously, there was the jet lag that you just asked me about, and also, he had a cold and you all heard directly during the debate, he had a hoarse voice,” she told reporters.

She said Biden “continues to be very steady and working for the American people.”

Biden, meanwhile, reportedly spoke at an internal meeting on Wednesday in which he said he would stay in the race “until the end,” according to the New York Times.

“We’re going to win because when Democrats come together, we always win,” Biden said, according to the newspaper, citing two people on the call. “Just like we beat Donald Trump in 2020, we’re going to beat him again in 2024.”

A new poll from the Times and Siena College finds that Trump has widened his advantage in the race.

It showed Trump ahead of Biden among likely voters, 49% to 43%.

Biden is facing increasing pressure to quit the race after his poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump.

Some Democrats believe Biden’s candidacy would hurt the party’s chances in the November elections.

News.Az