In a recent interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, President Joe Biden struck a defiant tone, rejecting calls to debate former President Donald Trump again before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in August.
Biden also addressed his controversial “bullseye” remark, made during a call with supporters urging them to focus on Trump’s policies, just before the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania. “It was a mistake to use the word,” Biden admitted. “I didn’t say ‘crosshairs’. I said ‘bullseye.’ Focus on what he’s doing. Focus on his policies. Focus on the number of lies he told in the debate.”
The President’s campaign also defends the decision to proceed with a virtual nomination ahead of the DNC. Initially necessitated by a Ohio deadline for candidate certification, the move remains in place despite a legislative extension to the deadline. Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, Quentin Fulks, emphasized the need to ensure a smooth election process. “We have an obligation to make sure, as we have said, to stand by free and fair elections and make sure that the process runs as smoothly as possible,” Fulks stated.
However, this stance has faced criticism. Reporters have questioned the necessity of a virtual roll call, particularly after the legislative fix. Fulks responded, “We moved forward, we instituted this before they had a fix, and we’re going to continue on that path because we’re not going to leave it up to them to change the rules again.”
The backdrop of these developments includes significant internal Democratic Party strife. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is reportedly working behind the scenes to replace Biden on the ticket, fearing a loss in the November election. Meanwhile, Rep. Adam Schiff has warned donors of a potential electoral wipeout if Biden remains the nominee. “If he is our nominee, I think we lose,” Schiff reportedly told donors, as per The New York Times.
Despite these challenges, Biden remains resolute in his bid for reelection, eyeing a campaign reset following the assassination attempt on Trump. The coming weeks will be crucial as the Democratic Party navigates these internal and external pressures ahead of the DNC and the 2024 election.
