Biden in Black Media Interview
"Reluctant to Step Down with Work Remaining"
Democrats Likely to Confirm Biden as Candidate via Early August Virtual Vote
Ahead of the U.S. presidential election this November, President Joe Biden, who is under pressure to withdraw from the race, stated that he would reconsider running if a medical issue arises. This marks a potential step back from his previous stance, as he had repeatedly expressed his intention to complete the election. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is expected to push forward with a plan to confirm Biden as the presidential candidate earlier than scheduled through a virtual vote in early August.
On the 17th (local time), President Biden said in an interview with BET News, a cable channel specializing in Black entertainment, that he would reconsider running if "a medical situation arises and doctors say there is a problem."
Until now, despite showing concerns about his age and cognitive abilities during a presidential debate late last month, Biden has dismissed calls within his party to withdraw and emphasized his intention to complete the race. During a campaign event in Wisconsin on the 5th, he said, "If the Almighty Lord tells me to quit the election, I will quit, but the Lord will not come down to earth," indicating no intention to drop out. As a result, attention is focused on whether Biden’s recent remarks signal a subtle shift in his stance regarding the presidential race.
However, Biden also indicated that he still has work to do, suggesting he still leans toward completing the race. He said, "Even though we were told we couldn’t do it, we figured out how to get the job done," adding, "There is still work to be done, so I am reluctant to step down."
Nevertheless, calls within the Democratic Party for Biden to withdraw have not subsided.
Adam Schiff, a U.S. Representative from California (Democrat), stated in a press release that "Donald Trump’s second term would undermine the foundation of our democracy," and expressed "serious concerns about whether President Biden can defeat Trump in the November election." He added, "Withdrawing from the campaign is President Biden’s choice, but I believe it is time for him to pass the torch," urging him to quit the race.
Representative Schiff is a close aide to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who recently hinted that Biden should reconsider his candidacy. Schiff is the first to publicly call for Biden’s withdrawal following the assassination attempt on former President Trump on the 13th.
The controversy over Biden’s candidacy quieted down after the assassination attempt on former President Trump. However, it appears to be resurfacing as the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is pushing for an early confirmation of Biden as the candidate through a virtual vote in early next month, citing the Ohio candidate registration deadline.
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