WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden had the kind of weekend that history turns on – trying to stabilize his campaign after a disastrous and demoralizing debate against former President Donald TrumpThey then gathered with family as previously planned at a remote mountain retreat, where they discussed the path forward.
The 81-year-old Democrat went into Thursday night’s debate hoping to dispel questions about his advanced age. But his meandering and sometimes incoherent answers only fueled fears that Democrats were headed for a crushing defeat in November’s election and led to talk that he might have to drop out of the race.
The weekend had a frenetic urgency, with Biden promising donors that he would simply “fight harder.” The Democratic National Committee organized a phone call with party leaders that had such an optimistic tone that some supporters felt manipulated. Major media such as The New York Times and The New Yorker openly called on Biden to withdraw.
Biden’s Cleanup
Biden and his team spent the weekend characterizing his debate performance as an outlier, arguing that a bad night should neither define him nor jeopardize the election.
After a rally in North Carolina on Friday and a pair of LGBTQ+ events in New York City, Biden spent part of Saturday in the posh, hedge-lined Long Island resort of East Hampton for a campaign rally and fundraiser.
Biden acknowledged he didn’t have a “great night” at the debate, but argued that Trump’s lies and reminders of the Jan. 6, 2001, insurrection had resonated more with undecided voters.
“I wouldn’t run again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job,” Biden told donors in East Hampton. “I know I don’t walk as smoothly as I used to, I don’t speak as fluently as I used to, I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I also know this: I know how to tell the truth. I know what’s right and wrong. I know how to do this job.”
Biden made a similar pitch later Saturday at the home of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. First Lady Jill Biden stood by his side for most of the day, their hands pressed tightly together as they walked between the presidential helicopter and Air Force One.
Camp David with the family
It was nearly midnight when Biden’s motorcade arrived at Camp David on Saturday, as rain showers raged in the area. He spent Sunday and Monday at the presidential retreat with his family for a previously scheduled photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz ahead of the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
But Biden’s standing in the race was inevitably a talking point. His family urged him to stay in the race, according to four people familiar with the discussions who asked to remain anonymous. One of the most outspoken: Jill Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
The family still believed Biden was the best Democrat to run against Trump and that he could fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency for another four years.
Rough Saturday call
The Democratic National Committee and Biden campaign manager Julie Chávez Rodriguez convened a call Saturday afternoon to reassure party leaders. But several people on the call, most of whom were granted anonymity to discuss the details, left with a growing sense of panic. It appeared Biden’s team was ignoring how dire his chances now seemed, with the election just four months away.
Allies defend Biden, but Democrats are concerned
Democratic leaders tried to repair the damage, but were divided over how to do so. They expressed their opinion about this in Sunday TV programs.
The longtime ally of Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-South Carolina, said Biden was the victim of a “preparation overload” for the debate and that “I don’t believe Joe Biden has a problem leading the next four years.”
But Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) said Biden’s actions had sparked debates within the party.
“This makes it a difficult situation for everyone, but there are very honest, serious and rigorous conversations happening at every level of our party, because it is a political party and we have differences of opinion,” Raskin said.
Is everything going on as usual?
Biden’s public schedule for the week ahead gave no indication of how the debate has changed the political landscape.
He was scheduled to return to Washington from Camp David on Monday evening. He was scheduled to receive a briefing and remarks on extreme weather events on Tuesday, and later hold a campaign reception. He will host a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Wednesday. And on Thursday, Biden and his wife will host an Independence Day barbecue on the South Lawn of the White House for members of the military and their families.
