Biden makes big announcement amid calls to drop out of 2024 presidential race: ‘When you get knocked down…’

“I’m running. I’m the leader of the Democratic Party. Nobody’s pushing me out,” Biden said, according to a top aide who posted his comments on the social media platform X.

“I’ve been knocked down before and I’ve been counted on all my life. When you get knocked down, you get back up.”

Biden and Harris made a surprise appearance on a Democratic National Committee conference call, according to three people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss the private conversation. The people said it was a pep talk that emphasized the stakes of the election and harkened back to Biden’s previous post-debate comments that he would bounce back after being knocked down.

It was one of several moves by the president and his top aides to calm growing unease among his allies on Capitol Hill and at the highest levels of the party.

Democrats are unhappy with explanations for Biden’s debate performance, both from White House staff and Biden himself. And there is deeper frustration among some Democrats who believe Biden should have addressed questions about his poor debate performance much earlier and that he put them in a difficult position by staying in the race.

White House official urges staff to quiet down ‘noise’

White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, speaking at an all-hands meeting earlier Wednesday, urged people to tune out the “noise” and focus on the task of governing.

While Zients acknowledged that the days following the Atlanta showdown between Biden and Republican Donald Trump were difficult, the chief of staff emphasized the Democratic administration’s record and history in a talk with more than 500 White House aides, saying governing will become even more important as the campaign season heats up, especially after the Fourth of July holiday, a White House official said.

Biden has begun reaching out to the public in person, speaking privately with senior Democratic lawmakers such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Delaware Sen. Chris Coons and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, according to a second White House official and others with knowledge of the conversations. Zients also spoke personally with Schumer and Clyburn earlier Wednesday.

Anxiety on Capitol Hill is growing with each passing day as Biden has delayed reaching out to leading Democrats and rank-and-file members, according to people familiar with the ongoing talks.

Zients tried to bolster staff confidence in Biden’s reelection apparatus, noting that the president has a “strong campaign team” in place and that the White House’s job is to focus on continuing to advance Biden’s agenda. He also told staff that Biden has always thrived in tough times, despite being written off over decades in public office.

The chief of staff also encouraged aides to “continue to be a team” and, acknowledging the growing political buzz, to “switch off” and stay disciplined, according to the official, who was granted anonymity to provide Zients’ private comments. Zients also urged White House staffers to ask questions and provide feedback.

White House staff meetings by phone are not unusual, but Wednesday’s 15-minute meeting came as Biden and senior White House officials sought to reassure nervous lawmakers, donors and other party allies amid growing questions about whether the 81-year-old president is competent to seek a second term.

A memo sent Wednesday by campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon and campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said the election between Biden and Trump would still be close, in an effort to minimize any lingering effects of the debate.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also scheduled one of their sporadic dinner meetings for Wednesday, and the president planned to host a group of Democratic governors at the White House that evening.

Democratic governors who planned to attend in person included Tim Walz of Minnesota, who leads the Democratic Governors Association, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Daniel McKee of Rhode Island, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gavin Newsom of California, according to their aides. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy planned to attend virtually. (AP) AMS