After a disastrous performance in the first presidential debate on Thursday that spurred calls from Democrats for a new candidate, President Joe Biden is “not dropping out” and will continue his reelection bid.
“Of course he’s not dropping out,” Biden campaign spokesman Seth Schuster said in a text message to the Hill after the debate.
Biden also vowed to be at the September debate against former president Donald Trump, presuming both men are the candidates following their parties’ conventions in July and August, CNN reported Friday.
CNN’s Van Jones said Biden’s debate performance was “painful” and that he believes “there’s a lot of people who are going to want to see him consider taking a different course now.”
The “universal reaction” MSNBC’s Joy Ried heard from “Obama-world people and Democrats” was “somewhere approaching panic.”
Although Biden plans to stay in the race, his party is starting to look at other candidates to replace him on the ticket. The most likely alternatives are Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newson, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, according to Forbes.
The Democratic National Convention will take place Aug. 19-22, where the party will officially name its 2024 candidate for the White House. The next presidential debate is set for Sept. 10 on ABC.
