In a letter (seen in full here via The New York Times) to congressional Democrats on Monday, President Joe Biden reiterated that he is not stepping down as the Democratic nominee in the 2024 President Election. The president has faced calls to step aside following his weak performance in the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump last month. The majority of primary voters cast ballots for Biden in the spring, who is expected to be officially nominated at the Democratic National Convention beginning on Aug. 19. One senior Democratic aide confirmed Monday that offices had received the letter, which comes as both chambers of Congress return from recess for the first time since the Biden-Trump debate in Atlanta on June 27.
Biden called for the Democratic Party to unite behind him as he campaigns for re-election, highlighting his performance in the nominating process. While saying he’s “not blind to” the concerns within his party about his re-election bid, some of which he allowed were in “good faith,” Biden wrote in the letter (obtained by news outlets and posted to Biden’s Instagram page): “I want you to know that despite all the speculation and press elsewhere I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race and to the end, and to beating Donald Trump .. We had a Democratic nomination process and the voters have spoken clearly and decisively. 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 .. 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.”
Biden added: “The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end. We have one job. And that is to beat Donald Trump. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task head only helps Trump and hurts us.”
Biden also phoned into MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday, and fairly stated that the voters have chosen him and dared his Democratic critics who want him out to challenge him at the party’s August convention. Said Biden: “I’m getting so frustrated by the elites in the party. … They know so much more. If any of these guys don’t think I should run, run against me. Go ahead. Announce for president — challenge me at the convention!”
Biden is expected to call more lawmakers this week to reassure Democrats that their concerns are being heard by him, according to a campaign official.
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