Back on the campaign trail, Biden defends his candidacy despite criticism

A galvanized Joe Biden swept away once again speculation about his withdrawal from the race the White House, on the campaign trail Friday in Michigan.

Assailed by parliamentarians who asked him to withdraw and strong criticism of his physical and mental state, Joe Biden assured that he would be a good candidate.

< p>“There's been a lot of speculation lately. What is Joe Biden going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? (…) Here's my answer: I'm running and we're going to win,” he told supporters in Detroit, a major city in Michigan.

“I promise you I'm fine,” the 81-year-old Democrat added earlier at a restaurant in Northville, a suburb of Detroit, responding to criticism of his ability to lead the country.

To beat Donald Trump in November, he will absolutely have to win Michigan, an industrial state in the Great Lakes region. Joe Biden attacked his rival, presenting him as “a threat to the nation.”

He denounced the “2025 project,” a vast government program bearing the imprint of the radical right, and from which the former president seeks to distance himself, although it was written by close allies.

“Americans want a president not a dictator,” he said, referring to Donald Trump's statement that he would be a dictator “for a day.”

The US president “understands that there is still anxiety (in Congress). That is why he is focused on one task: showing that he is best placed to confront Donald Trump in November and beat it,” campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler assured Friday.

Joe Biden supporters in Detroit, Michigan, on July 12, 2024 © AFP – Mandel NGAN

“I'm going to stay on the move,” the 81-year-old Democrat promised Thursday, during a press conference presented as crucial for his political destiny, very uncertain since a calamitous debate on June 27 against the 78-year-old Republican billionaire.

The president's supporters rejoiced at his knowledge of issues, particularly international ones.

– Bloodletting –

In the other camp, his haphazard speech and two monumental slips of the tongue were pointed out.

At an event preceding the press conference, the American president announced “President Putin” when he wanted to welcome Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky. He immediately corrected himself.

Then, in front of journalists, he mentioned “Vice President Trump”, instead of his vice-president Kamala Harris, to the great delight of his opponent. “Good job, Joe!” quipped Donald Trump.

Joe Biden in Maryland, July 12, 2024 © AFP – Mandel NGAN

“Joe Biden has been making gaffes for 40 years, he made a few last night and he will probably make more,” commented his spokesperson Michael Tyler.< /p>

The slow bleeding within the Democratic Party continues, without yet turning into hemorrhage.

Press release after a press release, nearly twenty parliamentarians have now asked Joe Biden to withdraw from the race for the White House.

– Finances –

Friday, one of the architects of the Democratic leader's victory in 2020, African-American elected official James Clyburn, however assured NBC that he was “totally committed ” alongside Joe Biden.

Did the president gain enough time on Thursday to truly relaunch himself or did he only postpone an inevitable withdrawal?

The answer will be partly financial: a sudden drying up of fundraising would be difficult for Joe Biden to overcome.

Joe Biden in Detroit, Michigan on July 12, 2024 © AFP – Mandel NGAN

According to the New York Times, major contributors have suspended pledges made to one of the largest financing structures for Joe Biden's campaign. 90 million dollars would thus find themselves frozen.

Eyes are now riveted on two major figures of the party: the former head of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and the ex-president Barack Obama.

The first, a politician of formidable skill, insisted this week on Joe Biden to “make a decision”, pretending to ignore his determination to stay in the race. The second, who was seen campaigning with his former vice-president, is silent for the moment.

All rights of reproduction and representation reserved. © (2024) Agence France-Presse