Biden, Defiant, Is Not Going Anywhere But The Campaign Trail
Jul 9, 2024
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Sarah McCammon, Tamara Keith, and Barbara Sprunt discuss the defiant stance of President Biden amid calls to step aside, highlighting internal debates within the Democratic Party. They explore Biden's resolute campaign strategy against Trump, emphasizing the challenges faced by Democrats and the contrasting unity within the Republican party.
President Biden exhibits tenacity despite calls to step aside, reflecting determination to prove his worth on the campaign trail.
Democratic lawmakers express mixed views on Biden's candidacy, with some supporting his campaign while others question his chances against Trump.
Deep dives
President Biden's Resilience in Campaigning
Despite challenges and calls to step aside from some Democrats, President Biden exhibits tenacity in his campaign efforts, campaigning in a manner that implies he has something to prove. Notably, he visited a black church in Philadelphia, received warm support, and engaged with supporters unexpectedly. Despite criticism and pressure following his debate performance, Biden remains defiant and determined to continue his campaign.
Congressional Democrats' Calls for Biden to Step Aside
While some Democrats, including Senator John Federman, support Biden's campaign, others like Representative Adam Smith question his ability to win against Trump. Lawmakers like Patty Murray stress the importance of Biden demonstrating campaign strength, while Senator Michael Bennett suggests an open discussion within the party about Biden's candidacy. Calls for Biden's withdrawal intensify, yet prominent Democrats still back him to remain in the race.
Impact of Campaign Challenges on Democrats
As Democrats navigate Biden's campaign challenges, the atmosphere on Capitol Hill reflects a growing concern about his viability as a presidential nominee. Despite his campaign efforts to regain support, Biden's missteps and performance remain under scrutiny, potentially affecting Democrat incumbents' electoral prospects. The upcoming months are predicted to involve increased focus on Biden's campaign and potential debates over his cognitive abilities, shaping a challenging and intense campaign period.
Over the weekend, a number of high-level congressional Democrats called for the president to step back from the ticket. He sent a letter on Monday that said, in short, fat chance. And, for now, it appears that Biden has largely stopped the bleeding.
This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and congressional reporter Barbara Sprunt.
The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
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