Biden tells wavering Democrats he won't abandon re-election bid

Concern that worries about his age, ability could cost party both Houses of Congress

US President Joe Biden vowed to push on with his re-election bid on July 8, dismissing the concerns of some fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill and donors that his persistence could cost their party the White House and Congress in the Nov 5 vote.

Mr Biden, 81, said any candidates who doubt his ability should challenge him at the Democratic National Convention in August – an effort that stands no chance of success unless he lets the delegates he won in primaries in 2024 consider other candidates.

“The bottom line here is that I am not going anywhere,” Mr Biden said in a phone call he placed to MSNBC’s Morning Joe programme.

He repeated that message to donors on a private call later in the day, according to two sources on the call.

Mr Biden faces a critical week as he tries to shore up a campaign that has been on defence since a shaky June 27 debate against Republican Donald Trump, which raised questions about his ability to do the job for another 4½ years.

Several congressional Democrats have called for him to drop out. A larger number have voiced concern that worries about his age and ability, on top of Mr Biden’s poor public approval ratings, could hurt their prospects for retaining the Senate, which they control by a 51-49 majority, and winning back the House, where Republicans have a 219-213 edge.