US President Joe Biden is looking forward to “getting back on the campaign trail next week”, fortifying his commitment to stick in the race as more Democrats on Friday called for him to step aside as the party nominee.
“The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win,” he said.
His statement appeared to be in response to the conflicting reports that Mr Biden’s inner circle is discussing the beleaguered president’s future and whether he will remain in the race.
Over the last several weeks, Mr. Biden has been caught in a whirlwind of political pressure to step down: Calls from leaders within his party to withdraw from the race, a loss of big-ticket donors, and the added pressure that his decision could cost Democrats control of Congress.
At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers have called for him to step aside on Friday alone, and Vice-President Kamala Harris – considered the top choice to replace Mr Biden – was tasked with comforting worried donors on a Friday afternoon call.
“We know which candidate in this election puts the American people first: Our president, Joe Biden,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Mr Biden’s re-election campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon also attempted to push back on speculation that the president would withdraw in an appearance on MSNBC’s Morning Joe
“The president’s in this race,” she said when asked about Mr Biden’s plans.
She described him as “more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump” and said he’s the “best person” to take on the former president.
In his statement, the president referenced former President Trump’s Republican National Convention speech to say he will continue “exposing the threat” of the former president while “making the case” for his record.
“Donald Trump’s dark vision for the future is not who we are as Americans. Together, as a party and as a country, we can and will defeat him at the ballot box,” he said.
As the conflict played on on Friday, the president was under quarantine at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He tested positive for Covid-19 while traveling in Las Vegas earlier this week. Mr Biden is experiencing “mild symptoms”, the White House said.
