Washington, July 4 – President Joe Biden has firmly declared his intention to stay in the presidential race, responding to growing calls from within his party to withdraw. During the Fourth of July celebrations at the White House, Biden sought to dispel doubts about his stamina and mental acuity, stating, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Biden’s announcement comes after a shaky performance at a June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump, which heightened scrutiny of his public appearances. Concerns among Democratic voters about his ability to endure the demands of another 4-1/2 years have led some party members to urge him to step aside.
During the Independence Day festivities, Biden hosted a barbecue for several thousand active-duty military service members and their families. He began his remarks with an enthusiastic “Happy Independence Day!” and delivered a brief, largely error-free speech from a teleprompter. At one point, he veered off-script to reference a World War I cemetery in France that Trump had declined to visit during his presidency, before quickly returning to his prepared remarks.
As Biden mingled with guests and took selfies, someone called out for him to “Keep up the fight.” Biden responded, “You got me, man. I’m not going anywhere,” reiterating his commitment to the race despite mounting pressure to step down.
Among those urging Biden to withdraw is Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Walt Disney and a major Democratic donor, who told CNBC she would halt donations to the Democratic Party until Biden exits the race. Sources suggest that Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading contender to replace Biden if he decides to step down, though Biden’s supporters believe he can still address and alleviate the concerns of voters and donors.
