President Biden vowed on Friday to remain in the presidential race, addressing an enthusiastic crowd in Madison, Wis., and asserting he would not be swayed by calls for him to step aside.
“Some folks don’t seem to care who you voted for,” Biden said to the crowd, who chanted “Let’s go, Joe!” and waved signs. “Well, guess what? They’re trying to push me out of the race. Let me make this clear: I’m staying in the race!”
Biden delivered his speech with vigor, a marked contrast to his performance in the recent debate against former President Donald J. Trump that raised questions about his age and fitness for office.
Speaking inside a crowded middle-school gym, Biden tackled the issue of his age head-on, arguing he was not too old to create 15 million jobs, appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, or “beat Big Pharma.” “I’m in Wisconsin for one reason,” he said, “because we’re going to win.”
Biden’s appearance in Wisconsin was a strategic move, aiming to revive his faltering campaign. However, it’s uncertain if a short, daytime speech—delivered with the aid of a teleprompter and reaching only a small audience compared to the debate—can repair the political damage to his candidacy.
His actions are being closely scrutinized, with every word and move evaluated through the lens of two key questions: At 81, is he too old to continue? And can he still win? Despite his team’s reassurances, skepticism remains.
It took over a week for Biden to schedule the Madison rally and an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, during which time momentum grew among Democrats for him to exit the race. Some of Biden’s major donors have expressed doubts about his viability and are demanding proof of his capability before committing further support.
On Friday, a group of 168 business leaders and donors, including former N.F.L. commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Walmart heir Christy Walton, issued a letter urging Biden to step aside.
Nearly three-quarters of voters nationwide believe Biden is too old for the presidency, according to a New York Times/Siena College poll. Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts became the third sitting lawmaker to call for Biden to end his re-election bid, suggesting he should follow George Washington’s example and allow new leaders to rise.
Friday’s events were a test of whether Biden could quell the doubts and prove his vigor. After his speech, Biden taped his first television interview since the debate, facing questions from Stephanopoulos that may influence the fate of his campaign.
Madison, a strong Democratic stronghold, was a fitting venue for Biden’s high-stakes moment. Wisconsin is a critical state for Biden’s Midwest strategy, essential for his re-election hopes. Despite his challenges, polls show him in a close race with Trump in the state, which he won in 2020 by a narrow margin.
Many rally attendees remained loyal to Biden, blaming the media for focusing on his age. “I’m so offended by the news,” said Tina Stratton, 61, a retired groundskeeper. “As long as he wants to do this, I will be out there kicking butt for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Some younger voters, however, expressed concern over Biden’s debate performance but were reassured by his energy on Friday. Linda Lay, 27, noted, “Hearing Biden actually sound coherent was a huge relief.”
Biden’s speech included familiar themes from his campaign, along with a pointed critique of Trump’s felony convictions, a topic he has previously avoided. “Donald Trump isn’t just a convicted criminal,” Biden said. “He’s a one-man crime wave.”
Despite some stumbles in his speech, Biden’s team managed the event carefully. However, one individual managed to infiltrate the bleachers behind Biden, holding a sign that read: “Pass the torch, Joe.”