Biden vows to stay the course, dismisses party elites
7:01 AM EDT, July 9, 2024
- I don't care what those big names think. I am not going anywhere - declared President Joe Biden on Monday in an impromptu interview on MSNBC. Biden conveyed a similar message in a letter to congressional Democrats who have been critical of him.
-They’re big names, but I don’t care what those big names think. They were wrong in 2020. They were wrong in 2022 about the red wave (the Republican victory in the Congressional elections). They were wrong in 2024, - Biden said during a spontaneous interview, phoning in to the hosts of "Morning Joe," Joe Scarborough, and Mika Brzezinski.
I’m getting so frustrated by the elites — now I’m not talking about you guys — the elites in the party, 'Oh, they know so much more.' Any of these guys that don’t think I should run, run against me. Announce for president, challenge me at the convention, - he stated.
Biden passionately argued that he was not at a disadvantage in a showdown with Donald Trump and was the best candidate to defeat him, emphasizing that the world "needs American leadership."
-I expanded NATO! I solidified NATO. Ask your brother about it, in Poland - Biden argued, referring to Ambassador Mark Brzezinski.
He also claimed that the more voters scrutinize Trump's actions and views, the more support Trump will lose. - Think of all the things he lied about. He talked about he have the largest tax cuts in history. Yeah, he gave the largest tax cuts in history to millionaires. - Biden said. He also added that Trump refused to accept the election results, refused to condemn January 6th (the attack on the Capitol in 2021) and claimed he had spoken to Putin before the Ukraine invasion.
"I feel a deep obligation to the faith and the trust"
The president conveyed a similar message in a letter published on Monday, addressed to a group of Democratic congressmen urging him to withdraw his candidacy.
- I feel a deep obligation to the faith and the trust the voters of the Democratic Party have placed in me to run this year. It was their decision to make. Not the press, not the pundits, not the big donors, not any selected group of individuals, no matter how well intentioned - he wrote.
His appearance on "Morning Joe" was part of his extensive campaign efforts to salvage his candidacy. On Friday, he gave an interview to ABC and appeared at a rally in Wisconsin, and on Sunday, he attended a church popular with African Americans and then another rally in Philadelphia. In each of his appearances, he stressed that nothing will stop him from seeking re-election.
