President Joe Biden’s lackluster performance against Donald Trump in the recent CNN presidential debate has left many Democrats questioning his bid for a second term in the White House. Despite the backlash, Biden has firmly stated his intention to win the November election and has dismissed growing calls to drop out of the race. His advisors have confirmed his plans to participate in a second debate in September, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Biden campaign spokesperson, Seth Schuster, emphasized, “Of course, he’s not dropping out.” Another spokesperson, Lauren Hitt, reiterated this stance following Biden’s determined remarks to supporters after the debate in Atlanta. As reported by The Guardian, Biden urged, “Let’s keep going.” During a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, he assured supporters, “I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done.”
He continued, “The choice in this election is simple. Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it,” as reported by AP News. Referring to his candidacy, he added, “When you get knocked down, you get back up.” Hours before introducing the president in Raleigh, North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper commented on the debate, saying, “Well, the president didn’t have a good night, but neither did Donald Trump with lie after lie and his dark vision for America. We cannot send Donald Trump back to the White House. He’s an existential threat to our nation.”
Vice President Kamala Harris reassured Biden supporters at a rally in Las Vegas, stating, “This race will not be decided by one night in June. This race will be decided by you. By us. Who sits in the White House next year will be determined by what we together do in these next 130 days.” Despite the reassurances, Democrat Steve Schmidt opined, “Biden lost the country tonight, and will not get it back. If Trump is a threat and democracy is on the line, then Biden must step aside.”
Prominent Democrats have cautiously shown their support for Biden. Hillary Clinton tweeted, “The choice in this election remains very simple. It’s a choice between someone who cares about you – your rights, your prospects, your future – versus someone who’s only in it for himself. I’ll be voting Biden.”
Former president Barack Obama also rallied in support. On X, he passionately argued, “Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”