USA Biden continues campaigning after TV debacle and meets family

US President Joe Biden is continuing his election campaign unperturbed after the TV debacle and is rejecting calls for him to withdraw. The 81-year-old collected donations in New Jersey and the Hamptons near New York on Saturday - the Hamptons are known as a weekend destination for the rich and famous. "I understand the concerns after the debate," the 81-year-old admitted at one of the exclusive and non-public events, according to press traveling with him. "I didn't have a great night, but I will fight even harder." His campaign team also made it clear that the Democrat wants to stay in the race for the White House. However, the debacle and possible consequences are likely to be discussed at a meeting between Biden and his family.

Biden fought a TV duel with his Republican opponent and predecessor Donald Trump on Thursday evening (local time). Both want to move back into the White House after the presidential election in November. According to polls, it is currently a neck-and-neck race. However, Biden's performance was a fiasco - he lost his train of thought, mumbled, stared into space with his mouth open and was often unable to finish his sentences properly. After the duel, a debate broke out in the USA about whether the 81-year-old is the right candidate for the Democrats. "To serve his country, President Biden should drop out of the race," wrote the New York Times in an opinion piece.

Biden meets with family at Camp David

Biden's campaign team tried to counter this over the weekend. "There was only one person at the debate who doesn't deserve to be a presidential candidate. The sooner Trump leaves the stage, the better off the country will be," it said in an email to party supporters. The data would show that the duel has not changed the perception of the American people. "Joe Biden will be the Democratic nominee, period," said another text. A "bedwetting brigade" would call on Biden to withdraw.

Biden traveled to Camp David, the US president's country residence near Washington, on Saturday evening (local time). The NBC channel reported that Biden wanted to discuss the future of his election campaign with his family there. The White House rejected this. The report's approach was incorrect. The government headquarters emphasized that the trip had already been planned before the debate.

Decision rests with Biden

According to the accompanying press, Biden was met by a number of demonstrators in the town of East Hampton near New York on his way to a fundraising event. They held up signs at the side of the road that read, for example, "We love you, but it's time" or "Step back for democracy". So far, the front row of the Democratic Party has been united behind Biden. In reality, however, the coming days are likely to be decisive. This is when polls are likely to show whether Biden's weak performance will be reflected among voters.

At the party convention in Chicago in August, Biden is to be officially chosen as his party's presidential candidate. He has already collected the necessary delegate votes in the primaries - the coronation convention is a mere formality, at least so far. Theoretically, however, it is possible that the party could change tack at short notice and take Biden out of the race. However, this would require Biden himself to clear the way and withdraw. Observers believe this is unlikely. And even if this were to happen, the question arises as to who could succeed Biden in the duel against the 78-year-old Trump.

Search for potential alternative difficult

The natural successor would be Vice President Kamala Harris. However, the 59-year-old is very unpopular and is unlikely to be the first choice. Whether she would make way voluntarily is completely open. One name that comes up is Gavin Newsom. The 56-year-old governor of the liberal US state of California has been eyeing the White House for some time. But whether the eloquent thoroughbred politician, who was once mayor of San Francisco, could score points with the rural population is questionable. Gretchen Whitmer, the 52-year-old governor of the state of Michigan, has also been mentioned as an option. The lawyer has a long career in politics and belongs to the leadership circle of the Democratic Party. Because of her relatively strict coronavirus policy, she has become the enemy of many Republicans.

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady and wife of ex-President Barack Obama, is seen by many Democrats as a shining light. There have been repeated calls for the 60-year-old to enter the race for the White House. She has always rejected this. A sudden change of heart is considered very unlikely. Many observers dismiss the discussion about an alternative to Biden as a mere mind game anyway. For one thing, it is far too short-term to back a new horse around four months before the election, they say. On the other hand, Biden is not even thinking of throwing in the towel.

First Lady Jill Biden has an important role

First Lady Jill Biden has also recently come into focus. A video snippet of her after the debate caused ridicule. In it, she praised her husband effusively after the duel for having "answered all the questions". The Bidens have been married for 47 years. Jill Biden is considered the US President's closest confidante and the 73-year-old's word carries weight. She demonstratively backed her husband after the botched TV duel. "Joe is not just the right person for the job," she said at a fundraising event on Saturday. "He's the only person for the job."