Despite mounting pressure for President Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race, his campaign chair remains steadfast in her support, instructing staff to block out negative news and instead rely on feedback from Biden's loyal base.
President Biden's re-election campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, has dismissed calls for the president to drop out of the 2024 race, emphasizing that he is "absolutely" committed to seeking re-election.
Amidst growing calls from both public and private figures for Biden to withdraw from the race following his debate performance, the campaign staff has reportedly experienced a decline in morale. In response, O'Malley Dillon convened a staff call on Friday, urging them to ignore negative news reports and focus on the encouragement they receive from Biden's hardcore supporters.
Biden Campaign Chair Defies Calls for Withdrawal, Urges Staff to Focus on Supporters
"Don't watch cable news all the time," O'Malley Dillon instructed her staff, according to Axios. "That is not the real world. The real world is the voters that are standing with us, the delegates that are with us, and we're going to weather this because of this organization."
O'Malley Dillon emphasized that the voices of Biden's supporters, although less vocal than those on television, should be prioritized. "When you give me polls, I'm going to give you direct voter contact," she said to sources at Fox News. "The people that the president is hearing from are saying, ‘Stay in this race and keep going and keep fighting, and we need you.’"
Biden Campaign Chair Defies Calls for Withdrawal, Urges Staff to Focus on Supporters
Just hours before the staff call, O'Malley Dillon made a rare television appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," where she unequivocally stated that Biden would remain in the race. "The president's in this race," she declared.
"You've heard him say that time and time again, and I think we saw on display last night exactly why, because Donald Trump is not going to offer anything new to the American people. He's the same person he was in 2020. He's the same person he was at the debate stage."
Biden Campaign Chair Defies Calls for Withdrawal, Urges Staff to Focus on Supporters
The campaign chair's defense of Biden's candidacy comes amidst concerns expressed by many of his allies about his viability to defeat former President Trump in 2024. Axios has reported that Biden and his staff closely monitor MSNBC's morning program, with Biden frequently calling co-host Joe Scarborough for advice and to vent about media coverage.
Despite the skepticism, Biden himself has maintained his determination to run. "The bottom line here is that we’re not going anywhere. I am not going anywhere," he declared on "Morning Joe" earlier this month. "I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t absolutely believe that I am the best candidate to beat Donald Trump in 2024."
Biden Campaign Chair Defies Calls for Withdrawal, Urges Staff to Focus on Supporters
O'Malley Dillon's directive to the campaign staff to focus on the positive feedback from Biden's supporters reflects her belief that the president's base remains strong despite the challenges he faces. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will be effective in boosting morale and galvanizing the campaign as Biden navigates the road ahead towards the 2024 election.
