Biden Defies Calls to Step Down, Asserts Commitment to 2024 Presidential Race

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Biden’s two-page letter, which his campaign released, emphasized his resolve to stick with it and rally the party against the twice-impeached former President Donald Trump, who has been convicted of 34 criminal felony charges, massive business fraud, and a jury found him responsible of sexually assaulting a woman.

President Joe Biden

In a resolute stand against mounting pressure from within his party, President Joe Biden declared on Monday, July 8, that he is “firmly committed to staying in the race,” directly addressing congressional Democrats who have recently suggested he should withdraw from the 2024 presidential election. Biden’s two-page letter, which his campaign released, emphasized his resolve to stick with it and rally the party against the twice-impeached former President Donald Trump, who has been convicted of 34 criminal felony charges, massive business fraud, and a jury found him responsible of sexually assaulting a woman. “The question of how we move forward has been well aired for over a week now,” Biden wrote. “And it’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump.”

The letter follows a private conference call where five senior House Democrats expressed their belief that Biden should step aside, adding significant pressure on the President and his advisors. However, Biden firmly rejected those calls, noting the importance of respecting the primary process and the voters’ decision. “Do we now say this process doesn’t matter?” he questioned. “We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.” Biden reiterated his commitment to the race and his confidence in leading the party to victory. “Now that you have returned from the July 4th recess, I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump,” he wrote.

The President acknowledged the concerns and fears expressed by various party members but stood firm in his decision. “I have had extensive conversations with the leadership of the party, elected officials, rank and file members, and most importantly, Democratic voters over these past ten days or so,” he said. “I have heard the concerns that people have—their good faith fears and worries about what is at stake in this election. I am not blind to them. Believe me, I know better than anyone the responsibility and the burden the nominee of our party carries. I carried it in 2020 when the fate of our nation was at stake,” he wrote. Biden expressed gratitude for the support he has received from Democratic voters and officials. “I also know these concerns come from a place of real respect for my lifetime of public service and my record as President, and I have been moved by the expressions of affection for me from so many who have known me well and supported me throughout my public life,” Biden noted. “I’ve been grateful for the rock-solid, steadfast support from so many elected Democrats in Congress and all across the country and taken great strength from the resolve and determination I’ve seen from so many voters and grassroots supporters even in the hardest of weeks,” he continued. “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally: I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”

Highlighting the primary results, Biden emphasized the legitimacy of his candidacy. “We had a Democratic nomination process, and the voters have spoken clearly and decisively. I received over 14 million votes, 87% of the votes cast across the entire nominating process. I have nearly 3,900 delegates, making me the presumptive nominee of our party by a wide margin. This was a process open to anyone who wanted to run. Only three people chose to challenge me,” he stated. “The voters of the Democratic Party have voted. They have chosen me to be the nominee of the party. Do we now just say this process didn’t matter? That the voters don’t have a say?” Biden firmly rejected the notion of stepping down. “I decline to do that,” he asserted. “I feel a deep obligation to the faith and the trust the voters of the Democratic Party have placed in me to run this year. It was their decision to make. Not the press, not the pundits, not the big donors, not any selected group of individuals, no matter how well intentioned. The voters—and the voters alone—decide the nominee of the Democratic Party. How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party? I cannot do that. I will not do that.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) also has voiced strong support for Biden, with California Democrats Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Maxine Waters defending him fiercely during a recent call with Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida also expressed her unwavering support for Biden, criticizing those calling for him to step down. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign continues to attack Biden’s age and fitness for office, while Biden’s team counters by highlighting Trump’s own blunders and lack of transparency regarding his health. Trump’s team is trying to make voters forget that he is just three-and-a-half years younger than Biden. Recently, Trump launched into another one his mind-boggling diatribes that ping-ponged from shark attacks to electric batteries to electrocutions. Team Biden called it “unhinged.” In recent months, Trump also confused the leaders of Turkey and Hungary, warned that the world was headed for a second — not third — world war, and called fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter a “wonderful man.” He’s also claimed there were good things about Hitler and white supremacists. Trump is no longer subject to the same routine and regular medical examinations that his rival must undergo as the occupant of the Oval Office. As head of state, Biden must take a litany of medical tests for transparency purposes. The detailed results are made public by the White House physician. In contrast, no information has been made available in years about the health of Trump, who is known to be a fan of fast food.

“We are now at a point and time where people are talking about Biden is too old; hell I’m older than Biden,” Rep. Maxine Waters, 85, said. “Trump has told you who he is. He defined himself,” she said. “He is a no-good, deplorable, lying, despicable human being.” She also warned that Trump’s talk of an impending civil war should not be taken lightly, given his role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Waters clarified that Biden remains the Democratic candidate and urged unity and support for his campaign. “Do we have to talk about the difference between these two? There ain’t gonna be no other Democratic candidate. It’s going to be Biden and you better know it,” she said, adding, “He should have done better in the debate, but hell, he’s already starting to do better. Did you see the latest interview? And he gets stronger, and he’s going to do better every day.” During the Essence Festival in New Orleans, other CBC members provided additional reasons for Black voters to continue supporting the Biden-Harris administration. Waters assured the audience that she and Biden would continue to fight for the Black community. “I want you to know that for the rest of my years, me and Biden are going to live a long time,” she said. “We are going to win.”