Open Letter to Democratic Party Lawmakers
"Time to End the Controversy... Unite to Defeat Trump"
Warning to Those Demanding Withdrawal: "Challenge at the National Convention"
President Joe Biden, who is under pressure to withdraw from the presidential race, reiterated his intention to complete the race and called for unity among Democratic colleagues. To party members demanding a candidate replacement, he responded by challenging them to run against him at the August convention. This is interpreted as a message to quell the public calls for his resignation from party members following his defeat in the first presidential TV debate held on the 27th of last month, as well as a warning to end internal party discord.
On the 8th (local time), President Biden, in a two-page letter addressed to Democratic lawmakers and shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stated, "I am staying in this race, I am running to the end in this race, and I am firmly committed to defeating Donald Trump."
In the letter, he emphasized, "The question of how to move forward has been well discussed for over a week, and now it is time to end the (controversy)," adding, "If our resolve weakens or clarity about future challenges diminishes, it will only help Trump and harm us." He then urged, "Now is the time to unite," and called to "move forward as a united party to defeat Donald Trump."
This letter came amid growing calls within the Democratic Party for President Biden to resign. After Biden's poor performance in the previous TV debate raised concerns about his age and cognitive abilities, voices among Democratic lawmakers worried about losing the election have increased, calling for a candidate replacement. Currently, nine Democratic House members have expressed opposition to Biden's candidacy. As the controversy showed no signs of subsiding even after ten days, it is analyzed that President Biden publicly rejected the resignation demands from Democratic lawmakers to put an end to internal party divisions.
President Biden wrote on X, "This morning, I sent a letter to my Democratic colleagues in Congress sharing my thoughts about our campaign at this moment," repeatedly calling for Democratic unity.
Shortly after releasing the letter on X, he emphasized his intention to remain in the presidential race again during an unscheduled interview with MSNBC that morning.
President Biden said, "If there are people who think I should not run, they can compete with me," adding, "Go ahead. Run for president and challenge me at the convention." Regarding the pressure to withdraw from high-dollar donors after the debate, he said, "I don't care what millionaires think," and "I want their support, but that is not why I am running."
Local media view this week, which includes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and Democratic meetings, as a critical turning point for President Biden's future.
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