Biden hits campaign trail: US prez desperate to salvage reelection bid amid calls to withdraw from race

US President Joe Biden is back on the campaign trail, determined to save his reelection bid amidst growing calls from senior Democrats for him to withdraw from the race. The 81-year-old Democrat will attend two campaign events in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, before hosting the Nato leaders' summit in Washington, according to a report from AFP.
Biden faces increasing scrutiny and pressure to drop out following his poor performance in the debate against Donald Trump last month, which sparked concerns about his age and ability to serve another term.Despite this, Biden remains resolute, declaring that he is capable of serving and is the only candidate who can defeat Trump.
"I beat Trump in 2020. I'm going to beat him again in 2024," his campaign posted on social media.
However, a recent televised interview with ABC News has not alleviated concerns. Biden's next significant public test will be a press conference during the Nato summit on Thursday.
So far, five Democratic lawmakers have called for Biden to withdraw, with the chorus of dissent gradually growing. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, a close Biden ally, believes the president can still recover and win but emphasises that Biden needs to do more, such as participating in unscripted events like town hall meetings, to reassure voters of his mental acuity and physical fitness.
"I think this week is going to be absolutely critical," Murphy told CNN's "State of the Union," adding that many voters need to be convinced of Biden's capabilities.
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries has scheduled a virtual meeting of senior Democratic representatives for Sunday to discuss the best path forward, while Democratic Senator Mark Warner is reportedly working to convene a similar forum in the Senate.
First Lady Jill Biden, who is reportedly encouraging her husband to stay in the race, is scheduled to campaign for him on Monday in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.
After Sunday's stops in Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the president will have to step away from the campaign trail to attend the Nato summit starting Tuesday. Here, he will also need to reassure allies at a time when many European countries are concerned about the possibility of a Trump victory in November.
The 78-year-old Republican has long criticised Nato as an unfair burden on the United States, expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and claimed he could quickly end the fighting in Ukraine, where Moscow's invasion is in its third year.