Biden refuses to step down despite calls for his withdrawal
Almost a week after the New York Times asked President Joe Biden to step down to allow a better candidate to face Donald Trump in the November 5 race, the American president has insisted he is “staying in the race.”Â
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m the sitting President of the United States,” Mr Biden said in a tweet on Friday.
“I’m the nominee of the Democratic party. I’m staying in the race.”
Following Mr Biden’s below-par performance against Mr Trump during the presidential debate last Thursday, The New York Times editorial board asked Mr Biden to step down for a better candidate to contest against the Republican presidential candidate, Mr Trump.
The Times said, “the greatest public service Mr Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election.”
It added, “The clearest path for Democrats to defeat a candidate defined by his lies is to deal truthfully with the American public: acknowledge that Mr Biden can’t continue his race, and create a process to select someone more capable to stand in his place to defeat Mr Trump in November.”
The debate, which availed Mr Biden, 81, the opportunity to sell himself and dismiss fears and worries about his mental acuity, turned out to expose his frailties, eliciting criticism from even his party men.
Since the debate, reports have it that in some quarters in Mr Biden’s Democratic party, there are worries about his cognitive decline vividly revealed during last week’s debate.
Mr Biden fumbled during the debate, sounding incoherent, appearing lost and unable to articulate his thoughts at some point, raising more questions about whether he is fit for office.
Even Mr Biden admitted he was almost sleeping on stage as he debated with Mr Trump but blamed his poor performance on jet lag.
Hosted by CNN, it was a historic debate for America as it was the first to feature a sitting president and a former president. For the duo of Mr Biden and Mr Trump, it was a rematch, having debated back in the 2020 presidential election season.
CNN’s poll on who won the debate showed 67 per cent chose Mr Trump as the winner, while 33 per cent voted Mr Biden winner of the debate.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Agriculture
Jigawa farmers lament as irregular rainfall threatens crop cultivation
Some farmers in Dutse, Jigawa, have expressed apprehension over irregular rainfall threatening crop cultivation in the area.
Education
Stakeholders in Ebonyi reject proposed 6-3-3-4 education policy reversal
They described the proposed policy reversal as unhealthy for Nigeria’s quest to build a functional and competitive education system.
Education
FG adopts three-year national learning assessment cycle
The federal government says it will institutionalise the National Learning Assessment every three years to tackle learning poverty and improve the quality of education nationwide.
Abuja
PFIPC Scandal: NDC demands Gbajabiamila’s suspension, investigation over alleged N400 million bribe
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has called for the immediate suspension of Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, over bribery allegations.
Abuja
FCTA impounds 40 vehicles for operating outside bus terminal
The vehicles were impounded for operating outside the bus terminal, in violation of the FCT transport secretariat’s directive.
Economy
Meter Rollout: Tinubu launches power initiative for 5,000 youths
President Bola Tinubu has launched a new national Power Force initiative to train 5,000 young Nigerians to support the rollout of smart electricity meters.
