President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to running for re-election, dismissing calls from nine Democrat lawmakers to step down. In a letter to the lawmakers, Biden emphasized that he is the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
“I am firmly committed to staying in this race and beating Donald Trump,” Biden wrote. “I understand the concerns and worries about what’s at stake in this election, but I believe I am the best person to win in 2024.”
Biden acknowledged the concerns about his health, which have been raised by some lawmakers, but said he is not blind to them. He also emphasized that he is not running for re-election because of pressure from the media, pundits, or big donors, but because he believes he has a duty to the voters who have placed their faith in him.
“The voters – and the voters alone – decide the nominee of the Democratic Party,” Biden said. “How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party?”
The lawmakers who have called for Biden to quit the race include Reps. Jerry Nadler, Mark Takano, Don Beyer, and Adam Smith, who join five other lawmakers who have previously publicly called for Biden to withdraw. However, the leaders of the Democrat party, including House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, still appear to support Biden.
Political experts suggest that Democrats may be stuck with Biden due to the challenges of replacing him on 50 state ballots, moving money behind a new candidate, and finding a candidate who would be a viable alternative.
