After a disastrous debate, Joe Biden tries to reassure donors

US President and Democratic re-election candidate Joe Biden has been in the spotlight for his awkwardness during his debate against Donald Trump. As calls for him to withdraw grow, the 81-year-old politician is seeking to reassure key donors who fund his campaign.

US President Joe Biden attended three fundraisers for his campaign on Saturday, June 29, and tried to reassure his most generous donors, claiming that he can win the presidential election despite his chaotic performance during the debate against his predecessor, Donald Trump.

The Democratic candidate said during one of the massive rallies organized in the states of New York and New Jersey in the northeastern United States: “I did not have a good evening, but neither did Trump.”

“I promise you that we will win this election,” he added.

Jill Biden has strongly defended her 81-year-old husband in the face of calls to withdraw his nomination, saying “Joe is not only the right person for the job, he is the only person for the job.”

“I understand your concern.”

They both traveled to New Jersey on Saturday to attend a fundraiser that was also attended by the state's Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The US President announced: “I understand your concern after the debate,” adding: “I will fight harder.”

Joe Biden's candidacy has been in doubt since his disastrous performance during the debate against former President Donald Trump on Thursday evening, with slurred words, incomplete sentences and a tired expression. It was a weak performance that shook his supporters and prompted reactions from the media.

Invitation to throw in the towel

In an editorial, the prestigious American daily newspaper The New York Times portrayed Joe Biden as a “shadow leader,” after he “failed his own test” during the televised duel.

“The greatest public service Joe Biden could perform today would be to announce that he will not run for reelection,” the editorial board wrote, adding, however, that he had been “an impressive president.”

No figure in the Democratic Party has yet gathered the votes demanding that he step down. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton affirmed their support for Joe Biden on Friday.

According to a public memo from Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, head of the Democratic nominee's campaign team, an internal post-debate poll concluded that “voters' opinions have not changed.”

Jennifer O'Malley Dillon also says support has grown during and after the debate. According to her, $27 million (€25 million) could be raised by Friday evening.