Washington, D.C.: Amid increasing calls from within the Democratic Party for President Joe Biden to step down as the party’s candidate for the 2024 presidential election, the President has made a definitive statement about the only circumstance that would cause him to exit the race.
A report from Fox News highlights that Democrats, concerned about Biden’s performance in a June debate against former President Donald Trump, have urged the 81-year-old to reconsider his candidacy. Despite this, President Biden has consistently dismissed any speculation about his potential ineligibility to continue serving as president.
In an interview with Black Entertainment Television (BET) on Tuesday, President Biden clarified his stance, stating, “If any of my medical conditions emerge, and a doctor says you have this problem, that’s the problem.” Reflecting on his past statements, he added, “I made a serious mistake in the whole debate. Look, you will remember this: when I was originally involved in the presidential race, I said I was going to be a transitional candidate. I thought I would be able to move on from this, pass it on to someone else. But I didn’t expect things to be so divided.”
Biden emphasized the value of his experience, saying, “Frankly, I think the only thing that age brings is a little wisdom. I think I’ve demonstrated that I know how to get the job done for the country, despite the fact that we were told we couldn’t get it done. But there’s more to do, and I’m reluctant to walk away from that.”
Adding to the context, a USA Today and Suffolk University poll released last month revealed a significant decline in support for Biden among black voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania, with numbers dropping by approximately 20 percentage points since the last election.
The President’s latest comments aim to quell the growing concerns within his party and reaffirm his commitment to leading the country, contingent only on his health remaining stable.