Biden tries to reassure voters, Trump issues new challenge
Jul 13, 2024
Washington [US], July 13: US President Joe Biden held a rare rally in Detroit on July 12, emphasizing that he will not withdraw from the race for the White House.
"I'm running and we're going to win...I'm the nominee. I'm not going anywhere," Biden said at a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, according to Reuters.
Mr Biden also outlined what he plans to do in the first 100 days of his second term, including codifying abortion rights, raising the minimum wage and banning assault weapons.
Earlier on July 12, Mr. Biden made a surprise stop at a restaurant in suburban Detroit, where he told diners that he intended to "finish this job" and said: "I promise you. I'm fine."
President Biden received a boost on July 12 when two prominent Democrats , Rep. James Clyburn and California Governor Gavin Newsom, said the leader should stay in the race for the White House.
Mr. Clyburn, 84, is a respected voice among black Americans whose support is essential to Mr. Biden's 2024 campaign, while Mr. Newsom, 57, is one of a group of young governors widely seen as the future of the Democratic Party.
But there are signs that support for Mr Biden is waning elsewhere, with two more lawmakers calling for him to drop out of the race.
"It's time to move forward. With new leadership," US Rep. Mike Levin said in a statement.
Since Biden's poor performance in the debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, at least 19 lawmakers have called on Biden to withdraw so that the Democratic Party can choose another candidate, according to Reuters. Several donors, Hollywood stars and activist groups have also called on Biden to withdraw.
However, Mr. Biden still receives support from key figures in the Democratic Party when there are less than 5 months to go until the US presidential election on November 5.
While Mr. Biden was appealing to Michigan voters, Mr. Trump on July 12 challenged Mr. Biden to take a cognitive test: "I'll go with him and I'll take one too. For the first time, we'll be a team and do it for the good of the country."
Mr. Trump will be the center of attention of the whole United States next week, when the Republican Party holds a convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to choose him as the official Republican presidential candidate for the election on November 5.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
