White House adamant that Biden “will not give up”

The White House was adamant Wednesday that President Biden will not drop out of the 2024 race, despite some calls from Democrats for him to step aside.

“The president is not giving up, this is something the campaign shared,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters amid a barrage of questions about his dismal debate performance and its fallout.

Biden and the White House have been circulating Wednesday to try to reassure Democratic leaders, aides and campaign staff that he will have four more years in office.

“The president has clear eyes and is still in the race,” said Jean-Pierre. “He’s still in the race, that’s what the president promised to do… he wants to continue to build on the successes he’s had, on his record.”

Earlier Wednesday, Biden, along with Vice President Harris, participated in a call with campaign staff and “unequivocally” told the team that he was running for re-election. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients spoke to administration staff to tell them to keep their heads up.

Biden has also spoken with Democratic leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Jean-Pierre told reporters, and is expected to speak with more than 20 governors Democrats later in the day.

While political operatives and former Democratic aides have called on Biden to drop out of the ticket, one House Democrat so far, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), has also called on him to withdraw from the race.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story