In the wake of an unruly presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, President Joe Biden acknowledged on Monday facts of his advanced age but appealed for support on the central issue of truthfulness as he faced increasing pressure to drop out of the presidential race.
Deep anxiety pervades the ranks of the Democratic Party following an 81-year-old Biden meandering and at times incoherent performance during a 90-minute debate in Atlanta late Thursday night.
Amid reports that Biden’s family urged him on Sunday to remain in the 2024 race, Biden made it clear on Monday that he has no plans to withdraw. "Folks, I might not walk as easily or talk as smoothly as I used to. I might not debate as well as I used to. But what I do know is how to tell the truth," Biden, the Democratic Party's presumptive presidential candidate, posted on his personal X account.
Biden’s family, including First Lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden, and their grandchildren, convened at Camp David for a previously scheduled gathering and strongly encouraged the president to persist in his reelection bid, according to Biden advisers who spoke to CNN.
An adviser noted that the family members provided their “unequivocal support.” The family, clearly frustrated with the team that prepared Biden for the alarming debate with former President Trump, also discussed whether any top advisers should be dismissed and whether campaign staff changes were necessary, CNN reported.
The family meeting at the presidential retreat took place as Biden and his campaign faced increasing calls for the president to step down following Thursday's CNN presidential debate. Discussions focused on how the Biden family could assist the president rather than suggesting he reconsider his candidacy, one adviser said.
A CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday showed that 72 percent of registered Democratic voters believe the president lacks the mental and cognitive health to serve as president. Nearly half of the respondents said he should step aside.
Concerns about the age of both candidates—Biden is just three years older than Trump, who is 78—were already present before Thursday's debate. However, Biden's weak voice and muddled responses have renewed worries about his candidacy and led some to call for him to withdraw from the November 5 race.
The New York Times Editorial Board wrote in a Friday opinion piece that the "greatest public service (Biden) can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election."
Trump also faced criticism for his performance, making several false assertions, including his longstanding claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Republicans have seized on Biden's incoherent debate performance. "All of America saw it. And you know who else saw it? Our adversaries saw it. Putin saw it, Xi saw it, the Ayatollah saw it,” North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a potential Trump vice presidential pick, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” referring to the leaders of Russia, China, and Iran.
Read also | Increasing Calls for Biden to Withdraw, But He Vows to Stay and Defeat Trump
