President Biden said in a letter to congressional Democrats on Monday that he was “firmly committed to staying in the race”, a defiant answer to allies on Capitol Hill who have said in recent days that he should drop out. The letter kicks off what could be the most crucial week of his presidency, as he faces crumbling support from Democratic lawmakers and mounting fears that his defiance could lead to a historic rout by former President Donald J. Trump and his followers in November’s races for the White House and Congress.

Many Democrats are now demanding an immediate political proof of life, but Biden will be unable to deliver the ramped-up campaign they want as he plays host to the 75th Nato summit in Washington, where large portions of downtown are already fenced off. Aides have promised an aggressive campaign schedule the week of July 15 — if it’s not too late.

Calling into Morning Joe on MSNBC on Monday, Biden declared that he was confident that “the average voter out there” still wants him in the race. “The bottom line here is that we’re not going anywhere — I am not going anywhere,” he said. “I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t absolutely believe that I am the best candidate to beat Donald Trump in 2024.”

The President called on the media to acknowledge what he said were robust crowds at his events. He also suggested that there has been excessive focus on his use of teleprompters, saying that he had “done it all extemporaneously”, without specifying which events he was referring to.

Biden is making the case that his debate performance was a single isolated episode, and is arguing that his travel schedule in the days after it show that he is up for the job of campaigning. “It was a terrible night and I really regret that it happened,” Biden said on Morning Joe. “I had a bad night. But the fact of the matter is — if there was something that was wrong that night, it’s not like it’s one night and it goes away. That’s why I’ve been out, I’ve been testing myself.”

Democrat support

On Sunday, Biden’s base of support among key Democrats on Capitol Hill began to crumble as a half-dozen top members of the House privately told colleagues he should withdraw from the presidential race amid growing concerns about his age and ability to win re-election.

During a virtual private meeting, the House Democrats — all senior members of powerful committees — discussed how to use their collective influence to convince Biden he had little chance of defeating former President Donald Trump, according to five people familiar with the confidential discussion.

New York Times News Service