Calls are growing for President Joe Biden to step aside and let someone else run as the Democrats’ presidential nominee.
But, to those who are issuing such calls, Biden is responding with a challenge.
Speaking to MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday, the president insisted, “The American public is not going to move away from me as the average voter.”
“And, again, I’m here for two reason pal!” he yelled. “One, to rebuild the economy for hard working middle class people… everybody gets a fair chance, number one. Number two, remember all this talk about how I don’t have the Black support? Come on! Give me a break. Come with me! Watch! Watch!”
He added, “I’m getting so frustrated by the elites — I’m not talking about you guys — but by the elites in the party. They know so much more. Any of these guys [who] don’t think I should run, run against me, announce for the presidency, challenge me at the convention!”
Listen to his comment below:
Biden is facing growing calls to step aside after a disastrous debate performance by Biden, which raised fresh concerns about his age and whether he will be able to defeat former President Donald Trump in the election.
Axios reported on Sunday at least four senior House Democrats said in a call with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) they believe Biden should step aside.
However, in a defiant letter on Monday, Biden said, “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.”
“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 10 days or so,” he continued. “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.”
After noting he won the primary, Biden asked, “Do we now just say this process didn’t matter? That the voters don’t have a say?”
“I decline to do that. 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,” he continued. “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.”
Despite his insistence that he can beat Trump, RealClearPolitics’ average of polls shows the 45th president’s lead increasing to over three points since the debate.
