WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has begun a crucial week for his candidacy, trying to quell growing criticism from his fellow Democrats who want him to step aside in the race.
Calling into MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday, the president said voters chose him and challenged his Democratic critics, who want him out, to challenge him at the party convention in August.
“I’m getting so frustrated with the party elites… They know so much better,” Biden said mockingly. “If any of these guys think I shouldn’t run, run against me. Go ahead. Advertise for president – challenge me at the convention!”
In a new letter to Democrats, Biden said he is “not blind” to concerns within his party about his 2024 reelection bid, some of which he allowed to be in “good faith.”
“I would not be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to defeat Donald Trump in 2024,” Biden wrote in the letter. “We had a Democratic nomination process and the voters spoke clearly and decisively.”
“Voters – and only voters – decide the Democratic Party candidate,” he added.
“The question of how to move forward has been well exposed for more than a week. And it’s time to end. We have a job. And that is defeating Donald Trump,” wrote Biden. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task leader only helps Trump and hurts us.”
A top Democratic aide confirmed Monday that the offices received the letter, which comes as both chambers of Congress return from recess for the first time since the Biden-Trump debate in Atlanta. Biden also published the full letter On Instagram.
Biden is expected to call more lawmakers this week, after connecting with 20 last week — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.. Y., and Reps. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., — to assure Democrats that their concerns are being heard by him, according to a campaign official.
On Morning Joe, Biden said he’s not worried when he gets a list of prominent Democrats calling on him to drop out of the race.
“I don’t think about what these big names think,” Biden said. “They were wrong in 2020. They were wrong in 2022 about the red wave. They are wrong in 2024.”
“I’m not giving up,” Biden said.
Biden also presented his case against Donald Trump, Biden also presented his case against Donald Trump, saying that the US will defeat the far right just as France did in its recent elections.
“This is a guy who is an extreme candidate. I can’t think of any candidate in my life who has been more radical. He makes George Wallace look like a patriot.”
Rebecca Shabad contributed.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
