### Biden Remains Defiant Amid Calls for Withdrawal
**By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South, Sam Oyadongha, Egufe Yafugborhi, Jimitota Onoyume, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Steve Oko & Ochuko Akuopha**
President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his commitment to his re-election campaign, despite increasing pressure from within his own party to step aside. “The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” Biden declared, countering reports that his inner circle is questioning his candidacy.
Biden’s determination comes as he faces mounting calls from Democratic leaders to withdraw from the race. Over the past several weeks, prominent figures have urged Biden to step down, fearing his continued campaign could jeopardize the party’s hold on Congress. On Friday alone, at least a dozen Democratic lawmakers called for his withdrawal.
Vice President Kamala Harris, seen as the leading alternative to Biden, sought to reassure anxious donors during a Friday call. “We are going to win this election,” she said, according to a participant. “Joe Biden puts the American people first,” she added.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s re-election campaign chair, appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to quell speculation about the president’s plans. “Absolutely, the president’s in this race,” she said, describing Biden as “more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump.”
In his own statement, Biden criticized former President Trump, vowing to continue “exposing the threat” Trump poses and “making the case” for his record. “Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” Biden stated.
Amid the political turmoil, Biden is currently quarantined at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after testing positive for COVID-19. He is experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House.
Biden’s resolve to remain in the race has evolved since his poor debate performance last month. Initially stating that “only the Lord Almighty” could make him step down, Biden recently told BET that he would reconsider his campaign if a doctor advised him to do so due to a serious medical condition. However, a campaign memo released on Friday affirmed Biden’s commitment: “Joe Biden is in this race and he’s in it to win it.”
The Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19, will formally nominate Biden. The Democratic National Committee will meet virtually in early August to finalize the nomination process. Leah Daughtry, co-chair of the DNC rules committee, indicated that any challenger would need substantial delegate support, a requirement she deemed “nearly insurmountable.”
Despite the pressure, Biden continues to face opposition from within his party. On Friday, Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico joined other Democrats in urging Biden to step aside, stating that passing the torch would secure Biden’s legacy and unify the party. Senator Jon Tester of Montana and Congressman Jim Costa of California made similar calls.
A growing number of House Democrats, including Jared Huffman, Marc Veasey, Chuy Garcia, and Mark Pocan, also released a joint statement urging Biden to “step aside.” They emphasized the need for new leadership to effectively challenge Trump and address the country’s needs.
Reports suggest that senior Democratic leaders like Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi have privately expressed concerns about Biden’s candidacy. Publicly, however, Pelosi’s staff denied these claims, and Jeffries reaffirmed his support for Biden.
Former President Barack Obama has reportedly voiced concerns about Biden’s diminishing chances of victory. Major donors, including George Clooney and Abigail Disney, have withdrawn their financial support.
Nevertheless, Biden retains the backing of some key figures. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has highlighted the risks of entering the convention without Biden as the presumptive nominee, and both the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus have indicated their support for his re-election bid.
BBC