Biden's performances since Trump debate still not convincing enough

Some major party donors and media want the 81-year-old out of the presidential race

- Bhagyashree Garekar

“Pass the torch, Joe”, read a placard at a July 5 rally addressed by US President Joe Biden in the swing state of Wisconsin, where he is lagging behind his Republican rival Donald Trump by a few points.

But Mr Biden is in no mood to read signs at campaign rallies – or follow unsolicited advice, whether it is coming from Democratic senators or sympathetic TV news anchors.

He repeatedly made that clear in the course of a prime-time TV interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the high priest of Democratic political thought and former Bill Clinton political adviser.

Asked by reporters at his Wisconsin rally if he would halt his campaign, Mr Biden said he was “completely ruling that out”, adding that he was “positive” he could serve another four years.

Asked by Mr Stephanopoulos how he might be persuaded to leave the race, he brushed it off with a laugh.

“If the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that,” he quipped.

The 30-minute interview – and the Wisconsin rally – was meant to reverse the damage done to President Biden’s candidacy by his shockingly feeble performance in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on June 27.

Mr Biden appeared physically frail and was often incoherent in his replies at the debate, stirring up a storm about his mental acuity.

More than a week later, the 81-year-old is meeting a rising tide of voices in opposition to his second term.

On July 7, one of his most senior party members is convening a meeting to discuss the viability of the Biden bid.

This is to take place on the same day he heads to Pennsylvania – another swing state where he is coming up short in polls that put Trump ahead by 3 points.