The incident, which occurred during a recent campaign stop at a Philadelphia church, follows Biden’s recent struggle during a presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump, 78, where he appeared to freeze, misspeak, and stare blankly.The president’s history of on-stage gaffes has been well-documented.
Despite the mounting pressure from fellow Democrats worried about his ability to lead for another four years, Biden has vowed to continue his reelection bid. In a fundraising email on Saturday, he dismissed calls for him to drop out as “nonsense.”
On Sunday, the president received a warm reception at a Black church in Philadelphia and later attended an event with union members in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Black voters are a crucial part of Biden’s support base, and recent polls have indicated a softening in their support for him.
During a leadership call on Sunday, some House Democrats expressed their belief that Biden should withdraw from the presidential race.
Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, the first Democratic House member from a battleground district to do so, said, “Given what I saw and heard from the President during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.” Other lawmakers are expected to join the call for Biden to step aside, with two letters reportedly circulating among House Democrats.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia has invited fellow senators to a meeting on Monday to discuss Biden’s campaign. However, Senator Bernie Sanders, 82, who has previously run for the Democratic nomination, firmly supports Biden, emphasizing that Democrats should focus on policy rather than treating the election as a “beauty contest.”