Biden Meets with Democratic Governors to Address Concerns; New Poll Indicates Declining Support

The president sought to calm fears among Democrats by assuring supporters in a fundraising email: “I’m running. I’m the Democratic Party’s nominee. No one is forcing me out.”

On Wednesday, President Biden was actively defending his political future, acknowledging to two close allies that he must address public concerns following a poor debate performance. A new poll from The New York Times and Siena College indicated that Donald J. Trump had expanded his lead in the race, showing him ahead of Biden among likely voters by 49 percent to 43 percent, marking Trump’s largest advantage in a Times/Siena survey to date. The poll also revealed growing doubts about Biden’s ability to serve effectively as president due to his age, now 81.

Every demographic group surveyed, including Biden’s own voters, expressed concerns about his fitness for office, suggesting he might be too old to function effectively as commander in chief. Amid swirling speculation about the future of the Democratic ticket, Biden had lunch with Vice President Kamala Harris. Later, he worked to solidify his position by meeting with Democratic governors in the Roosevelt Room, where he faced numerous questions about the campaign’s direction. Biden reassured the governors that he intended to remain in the race.

In a fundraising email sent on Wednesday, Biden reinforced his commitment to his supporters, stating, “I’m running. I’m the Democratic Party’s nominee. No one is pushing me out.” Despite his assurances, an increasingly vocal group of Democrats is urging Biden to restore public confidence in his cognitive abilities after his struggle during the recent debate, which was watched by over 50 million Americans. Biden himself admitted to having a “not great night.”

To address these concerns, Biden has limited his unscripted appearances and relied on teleprompters for public speaking. He plans to sit down for an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News on Friday and has scheduled campaign events in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to demonstrate his capability and regain public trust as he continues his campaign.