Biden calls in on US breakfast television

Biden described his disastrous performance in the TV duel against the Republican challenger at the end of June as a "terrible night", of which he had not had many in his career. "I really regret that this happened." Biden stood up to doubters within his party who are calling for an alternative presidential candidate: "Go for it! (...) Challenge me at the party convention!"

The fact that the Democrat went on live television for his offensive was quite remarkable. Former President Trump regularly made similar calls to the right-wing conservative broadcaster Fox News during his time in office. MSNBC is considered well-disposed towards the Democrats.

Biden had previously used similar words in a letter to Democratic members of Congress, which was leaked to the US media and whose existence Biden confirmed in the TV call. The two-page document was made available to CNN and the New York Times, among others.

In it, the US President wrote that he had held extensive talks with the party leadership, elected officials and voters over the past few days. "I have heard people's concerns - their good faith fears and concerns about what is at stake in this election. I am not blind to them," Biden stated. However, he would not run again if he was not absolutely convinced that he was the best candidate to win against Trump.

Millions of voters had cast their votes in the Democratic primaries, Biden also wrote. This must be acknowledged: "Are we just going to say the process means nothing? That voters have no say? I refuse to do that."