Biden campaigns in Pennsylvania amid calls to quit race

U.S. President Joe Biden resumed his campaign trail Sunday in a bid to salvage his reelection prospects as senior Democrats convened to address increasing demands for him to withdraw from the 2024 White House race.

The 81-year-old Democrat appeared at a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia during a two-stop tour of Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state. This campaign effort precedes the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington, which he will host later this week.

Biden faces mounting pressure to exit the race following a widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month, which raised concerns about his age and ability to serve another term. Despite the scrutiny, Biden remains resolute, asserting his fitness to serve and emphasizing that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump.

Five Democratic lawmakers have publicly urged Biden to step aside, with more voices joining the call. On Sunday, two prominent congressional Democrats stopped short of advocating for his withdrawal but highlighted the need for Biden to address voter concerns about his age.

“There’s only one reason” the race between Trump and Biden “is close, and that’s the president’s age,” Representative Adam Schiff said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Some speculate Biden may hand off the campaign to Vice President Kamala Harris, a move Schiff suggested could lead to a significant victory.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy echoed these sentiments, stating, “the president needs to do more,” including participating in unscripted events like town halls to demonstrate his mental and physical readiness for a second term. “This week is going to be absolutely critical,” Murphy told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has organized a virtual meeting with senior Democratic representatives to discuss the party’s strategy, while Senator Mark Warner is reportedly arranging a similar discussion in the Senate.

First Lady Jill Biden is scheduled to campaign for her husband in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina on Monday. However, after Sunday’s events in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, President Biden will temporarily step away from the campaign trail for the NATO summit starting Tuesday. Here, he will need to reassure allies concerned about a potential Trump victory in November.

Trump, who has criticized the transatlantic defense alliance and expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, insists he could quickly end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This rhetoric has raised alarm among European allies.

As election day approaches, Democratic leaders are cautiously managing any internal dissent. Any decision to replace Biden as the nominee would need to occur promptly, and the party is vigilant for any signs of more overt discontent.

Biden’s campaign has planned an aggressive strategy for July, including extensive TV advertising and visits to key states. This includes a trip to the Southwest during the Republican convention from July 15-18, where Trump is expected to be formally nominated.

In an interview with ABC News on Friday, Biden dismissed concerns about his poll numbers and performance, even as some of his responses appeared tentative. He firmly rejected the notion of being replaced, saying, “If the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I’d get out of the race. But the Lord Almighty is not coming down.”