President Biden begins a critical weekend in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where he aims to prove his fitness for re-election after a disastrous debate performance that has raised concerns about his stamina and acuity.
President Joe Biden's political fortunes hang in the balance as he embarks on a pivotal weekend in key swing states, where he hopes to silence calls for his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
Following a disastrous debate performance last week that sparked widespread panic within the Democratic Party, Biden faces mounting pressure to prove that he has the mental and physical capacity to defeat former President Donald Trump in their rematch.
Biden Faces Crucial Tests in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Amid Re-Election Doubts
The 81-year-old president's first test comes on Friday with a rally in battleground Wisconsin, a state he narrowly won in 2020. Biden will then sit down for an interview with ABC News that will air in prime time.
On Sunday, he and First Lady Jill Biden will appear in Pennsylvania, another key swing state that Biden needs to carry to secure re-election.
Biden Faces Crucial Tests in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Amid Re-Election Doubts
Throughout these events, Biden will need to demonstrate that he still has the stamina and acuity to handle the presidency. Last week's debate raised serious concerns about his ability to think clearly and respond effectively to attacks.
Three House Democrats have publicly called on Biden to step aside, while more than a dozen other Democratic members of Congress and governors have expressed concerns about his fitness to serve.
Biden Faces Crucial Tests in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Amid Re-Election Doubts
Biden's campaign has vehemently denied any plans for the president to drop out. In a text to supporters on Wednesday, Biden declared: "I'm the Democratic Party’s nominee. No one is pushing me out. I'm not leaving, I'm in this race to the end, and WE are going to win this election."
Post-debate polls show a significant boost for Trump following Biden's shaky performance. A recent poll by FiveThirtyEight found that Trump now leads Biden by 5 points nationally.
Biden Faces Crucial Tests in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Amid Re-Election Doubts
Facing this adversity, Biden acknowledged in recorded radio interviews on Thursday that he "screwed up" at the debate. However, hours later at an Independence Day celebration at the White House, he defiantly declared, "I'm not going anywhere."
Biden's allies have come to his defense, with Democratic Governors Association chair and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore expressing support for the president. However, Moore noted that "we always believe that when you love someone, you tell them the truth," acknowledging that concerns have been raised.
The clock is ticking for Biden to quickly prove his mettle to both his party and to voters.
"He has got a very short period of time to talk to the American people," Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan told CNN.
Biden's performance in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania this weekend will be closely scrutinized as he attempts to salvage his campaign and quell the rising tide of doubt within his own party.
