Biden Campaign Stance Amid Debate Aftermath

Four days after a highly charged and chaotic debate performance by Joe Biden against Donald Trump rekindled the scrutiny of the president’s physical and mental fitness at 81 and spurred calls for him to step aside, the Democratic incumbent has doubled down on his plan to press forward with his bid for the White House.

In this stance, he enjoys the backing of his family, who spent the weekend at Camp David. Within that circle, the influence of his son Hunter and, above all, the first lady Jill Biden, stands out as a key driver of political and personal decisions for the president.

She continues to insist that Biden stay in the race, outspokenly since the moment the debate began and privately as well. This Sunday, in a Vogue interview published with the issue featuring her on the cover, she reiterated: “We will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he has served as president. We will keep fighting.”

Jill Biden also asserted that her husband “will always do what is best for the country.” Yet, despite pleas from strategists, donors, voters, and many voices in Democratic-leaning media to step aside, Biden remains stubbornly determined, a stance that feels almost defiant.

Buying Time

The campaign has managed to buy some space. It has secured backing from heavyweight party figures such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, along with other prominent politicians and possible successors to Biden. Figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and governors Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom have publicly lined up to support the bid, reinforcing the party’s unity.

Even so, Democratic voices advocating retirement have not dried up. Editorial writers, columnists, and strategists have urged him to quit, yet none of the party’s top elected leaders have followed suit. In a Saturday virtual meeting of the Democratic National Committee, unity was urged among the members, who number over four hundred state and local leaders.

The meeting, however, did not allow questions or comments and the chat function was disabled. At least one anonymous participant told The Washington Post that the gathering felt “terrible” and accused leadership and the campaign of being out of touch with reality.

Biden’s standing had long been a major concern for voters, and advisers recognize the marshy political terrain he navigates. Even before the first solid polling shows the debate impact, a rapid donor call was organized for Monday afternoon with the aim of quieting fears and preserving fundraising momentum that keeps the campaign moving forward.

Air of Normalcy

Biden, his family, his team, and their allies are projecting an aura of normalcy, even though the political moment remains anything but ordinary. A new campaign video released on Monday highlights alleged false statements from Trump during the debate, featuring footage from a rally Biden held the day after rather than the CNN debate itself.

Information emerging from Camp David suggests the family has challenged critics who place blame on Biden’s advisers rather than on the president himself. Leaked discussions portray criticism of the debate prep as too data-focused, claiming the candidate was not adequately prepared or was exhausted. Some insiders even questioned the makeup used by aides.

Public appearances this week are sparse as the nation marks the Fourth of July. Biden is scheduled to speak on climate policy on Tuesday as hurricane season begins earlier than usual due to climate change, followed by a Virginia reception. On Wednesday he will preside over a Medal of Honor ceremony, with recipients including two Democratic heavyweights who have publicly supported him: former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representative Jim Clyburn, who played a pivotal role in his 2020 nomination. Thursday will feature a military celebration of Independence Day, and Friday he will return to Camp David.

Republican Demand

Meanwhile, Republicans continue to push an effort to undermine Biden’s image. This Monday, the House Judiciary Committee filed suit in Washington to compel the attorney general to disclose the audio of an interview conducted with Biden by the special counsel, Robert Hur, who investigated the handling of classified documents.

Hur’s report concluded with a damning portrait of Biden’s state of affairs. The Department of Justice provided Congress with a transcript of Hur’s interviews but did not release the recording.

Not all conservatives believe Biden’s withdrawal would benefit Trump. Steve Bannon, a leading voice on the far right, suggested Biden will eventually retire but called Trump’s debate victory “pyrrhic.” In a Sunday interview, before serving a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress, Bannon argued Trump would lose to someone who could defeat him and warned Republicans to challenge the process by which a replacement for Biden would be chosen. “We must turn this into a weapon and expose to the nation how unmoved they were by national interest and how their own ambition drove them,” he said.