WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is not considering stepping down from running for re-election and vowed to stay in the race on Wednesday following a meeting with Democratic governors.
“I’m the Democratic Party’s nominee,” Biden said. “No one is pushing me out. I’m not leaving, I’m in this race to the end.”
Biden told the governors he had a medical checkup following the debate last week and he had a White House physician check him a “few days” after the debate because of a cold.
Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Janet Mills of Maine expressed concern to Biden over whether he could still win their blue-leaning states, describing them as competitive.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has repeatedly said Biden had a “bad night” but that their focus now was on turning the page with campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, local radio interviews and a primetime television interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday.
On Tuesday, the President spoke with to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Rep. James Clyburn and Sen. Chris Coons.
“What we saw in there today was a guy who was the guy that all of us believed in the first time to beat Donald Trump. And he did beat Donald Trump,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also called into an all-staff campaign meeting on Wednesday to give a pep talk, according to multiple sources familiar.
“I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win because when Democrats unite, we will always win. Just as we beat Donald Trump in 2020, we’re going to beat him again in 2024,” Biden said on the call.
“There is no one I’d rather be in this battle with than all of you. So, let’s link arms. Let’s get this done. You, me, the vice president. Together,” Biden told his team.
