Biden Says Only The ‘Lord Almighty’ Could Convince Him To Step Aside

If you thought US President Joe Biden would heed Democrats’ calls to step aside, think again. He said only the "Lord Almighty" could convince him to end his bid for re-election in rare primetime interview.

Written By Mika Taylor // EEW Magazine

Photo: Getty

President Joe Biden, in a letter to congressional Democrats, has firmly resisted calls for him to withdraw his candidacy, urging an end to the internal discord that has plagued the party following his poor debate performance.

Biden's efforts to stabilize the anxious Democratic Party came on Monday as lawmakers returned to Washington, facing a critical decision: whether to work to revive his campaign or to push for a new party leader. This moment is pivotal for both his reelection prospects and their political futures.

Following a prime-time ABC interview where he asserted that only divine intervention would make him step down, the veteran politician, despite concerns about his mental acuity, continues his efforts to reassure Democrats about his candidacy.

Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP

In his two-page letter, Biden stated, “the question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end.” He emphasized that the party’s primary objective is to defeat the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in November.

“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden wrote, in a letter distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”

Tensions are high as leading Democratic lawmakers are now joining the chorus calling for Biden to step aside despite his resistance. Meanwhile, some of Biden’s most ardent supporters are doubling down on their efforts to support his presidency, arguing that he is the best candidate to defeat Trump in what many consider one of the most crucial elections of a lifetime.

Biden reiterated his stance during a phone interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, insisting that “average Democrats” want him to stay in the race and expressing frustration over calls from party officials for him to step down.

“They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think,” Biden said.

Challenging his critics, Biden declared that if they are serious, they should “announce for president, challenge me at the convention,” or rally behind him against Trump.

According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, Democratic voters are divided on whether Biden should remain the party’s nominee or if a different candidate should be chosen.

Lawmakers face a difficult decision as they consider Biden’s future, with no clear answers in sight. This is a critical and volatile moment for the president’s party. Democrats who have long admired Biden’s contributions to policy are now grappling with tough questions about his political future, just as Biden is hosting world leaders for the NATO summit in Washington.

With the Democratic National Convention less than a month away and the Republican convention in Milwaukee set to renominate Trump, many Democrats argue that the focus should shift away from Biden and towards Trump’s legal issues, including his felony conviction in the hush money case and pending federal charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

Democrats in Congress are weighing how vigorously they should push for a change in leadership or if they should stay the course.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is convening private meetings with lawmakers to “get on the same page” before revealing his own stance, according to an anonymous source familiar with the situation. He planned to gather Democrats on Monday whose reelection bids are most at risk.

A private call on Sunday involving around 15 top House committee members highlighted the growing divide, with at least four more Democrats — Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY), Jim Himes (CT), Adam Smith (WA), and Mark Takano (CA) — privately suggesting that Biden should step aside.

Nadler, as the most senior member on the call, was the first to voice the opinion that Biden should step aside, encouraging others to follow suit, according to an anonymous source.

Other members expressed concerns about Biden’s viability and electability, though they stopped short of calling for him to leave the race.

However, some members, including Reps. Maxine Waters (CA) and Bobby Scott (VA) from the Congressional Black Caucus, along with Rep. Richard Neal (MA), the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, strongly supported Biden.

Several lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of clear leadership and direction, with one stating that the situation needs to “end now,” according to a person familiar with the call.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty

Afterward, Neal emphasized that Biden defeated Trump in 2020 and could do it again in November.

The turmoil is testing a new generation of Democratic leaders, including Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Both have avoided publicly directing lawmakers on a course of action as they navigate the diverse opinions within their ranks.

Behind the scenes, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi continues to advise lawmakers and is seen as a key figure in any final decision on Biden’s future, given her close relationship with the president and her political acumen.

Pelosi has acknowledged Biden’s debate performance raised “legitimate” questions but has remained supportive. She publicly praised Biden on social media as a “great President who continues to deliver for America’s kitchen table,” adding, “and we’re not done yet!”

Schumer has kept a low profile but will convene Democratic senators for their weekly lunch on Tuesday, where various views are expected to be discussed.

Sen. Mark Warner (VA) had planned to gather senators privately to discuss Biden, but those conversations will now occur at Tuesday’s regular caucus lunch.

Sen. Alex Padilla (CA) urged an end to the “hand-wringing” and called for a return to grassroots campaigning. He advised Biden’s campaign to let the president engage with voters directly through town halls and unscripted events.

While some major donors express unease, strategists note strong fundraising efforts for House and Senate races, with congressional Democrats viewed as a crucial defense against Trump.

House Democrats had significant fundraising success, including a $3 million event with former President Barack Obama and Jeffries in New York City, and Senate Democrats also report a surge in support.

As Democratic candidates campaign with Biden, they are advised to build their own brands and highlight how their work in Congress benefits their local districts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.