President of the United States Joe Biden has declined calls to end his reelection campaign regardless of worries about his age and health. There were rumors about Biden’s health after it was revealed that a doctor named Kevin Cannard, who treats Parkinson’s disease, visited the White House many times between August and March.
Though Biden’s doctor verified that Biden doesn’t have any neurological disease and the checkups were just part of routine, the White House contradicts that he is being treated for Parkinson’s disease.
Some Democrats think that Biden, who is 81, should quit this race. On Monday, Biden said in a letter to Democratic Party lawmakers that he is “firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”
Biden said in the letter: “I have heard the concerns that people have, their good faith fears and worries about what is at stake in this election.” He said, “I can respond to all this by saying clearly and unequivocally; I wouldn’t be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”
On Monday, in an interview with MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Biden said that it’s party leaders, uncommon Democrats, who are pushing him to quit the race.
He said, “They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think. They were wrong in 2020. They were wrong in 2022 about the red wave. They are wrong in 2024.”
The performance of Biden’s poor debate against Trump on January 27 has Democratic lawmakers and political observers worried about Biden’s work for a second term. The Democratic president looked exhausted and blank during the debate, raising concerns about his health and ability to run in the coming elections.
On Monday, Adam Smith, a congressman from the state of Washington, became the sixth Democratic lawmaker to publicly leave Biden. Smith said in a statement, “The president’s performance in the debate was alarming to watch, and the American people have made it clear they no longer see him as a credible candidate to serve four more years as president.”
US media revealed that more Democrats have also shown concerns privately. Biden faces a tough fight against Trump regarding the elections. Polls show Trump ahead in important swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Many voters think Biden is too old to serve one more term.
Halkett reported that Democratic leaders are attentive to concerns and will discuss next steps on Tuesday at their weekly policy meeting. Halkett said that there is an unofficial deadline. “Joe Biden has really until this Friday to prove to the Democratic Party that he can do this job.”
The Democratic Party will announce its 2024 presidential candidate officially at the party’s national convention in Chicago in August.
