US President Joe Biden has maintained that he will not drop out of the November presidential race as pressure mounts for him to step back following what has roundly been declared a disastrous showing in the first debate with challenger Donald Trump last week.
Various media reports say that Biden held several meetings and other engagements yesterday to calm senior Democrats and his campaign staff.
Biden held a closed-door lunch with Vice-President Kamala Harris at the White House as speculation mounted over whether she would replace him as the party’s candidate in November’s election.
Afterward, the pair joined a call with the broader Democratic campaign where he made clear he would remain in the race andHarris reiterated her support.
Questions have been swirling around whether the 81-year-old will continue with his campaign following the debate with Trump, which was marked by verbal blanks, a weak voice and some answers which were difficult to follow. It sparked concern in Democratic circles around his fitness for office and his ability to win the election.
Pressure on Biden to drop out has grown as more polls indicate Trump is widening his lead.
A New York Times poll conducted after the debate and published on Wednesday, suggested Trump was now holding his biggest lead yet at six points. A CBS News poll suggested Trump has a three-point lead over Biden.
