Despite escalating requests for Biden to resign, several Democrats are reinforcing their support

Support for President Joe Biden has come in a slow and steady stream from several Democrats, following his turbulent debate on Thursday. The erratic performance caused a surge of unease within the ranks of party strategists and made stirred withdrawal from the US media establishment.

After an unstable and sometimes confusing performance at the debate, the Biden campaign is confronting to a major political challenge. Such performance instigated calls for him to relinquish his status as the Democratic nominee. However, the president’s reelection campaign remains undeterred, drawing strength from a more composed Biden during a rehearsed speech in North Carolina on Friday.

The idea of losing Biden on the ticket was once unthinkable amongst party members. But this changed after Biden’s widely criticized performance in the Thursday night’s debate. In a marked shift, American media heavyweights, from columnists historically favorable to the president to the formidable New York Times editorial board, advocated for Biden's gracious exit. This united them with rising voices from both within the country and across the globe, increasingly worried that this incident presents a “turning point” for Biden.

"Marcus Aurelius was a significant emperor, but he bungled his succession by anointing his ineffectual son Commodus. A move which marked the starting point for Rome's decline," posted Polish foreign affairs minister Radek Sikorski on Friday. “Transitioning power wisely is crucial.”

In spite of growing calls for his resignation, several influential Democrats are adamant in support of Biden as their 2024 nominee. Past Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton expressed unwavering support for Biden, referencing other "bad debate nights", including one Obama experienced during a 2012 debate with GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

One of the most vehement responses came from Rep. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who, in response to The New York Times editorial board’s plea for Biden to retire from the race, posted a decisive "no".

Congressmen like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Biden's advocate Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) stood by their initial comments supporting the president.

“A setback is nothing more than setting the stage for a comeback. Vote,” Jeffries posted on Saturday. Meanwhile, Garcia, despite conceding that Biden's debate performance was not his best, tried to dispel the whispers of Democratic discontent, telling MSNBC’s The Weekend: "Democrats are united behind our president. We stand with him fully."

However, the extent of the Democrats' support for Biden still remains doubtful.

When questioned by the press on Friday about Biden's suitability to lead the party, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi evaded a direct response, choosing instead to emphasize Biden’s "integrity", especially when compared with the "dishonesty" of ex-President Donald Trump.

Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a steadfast Biden supporter who significantly contributed to his 2020 election win, deflected concerns about Biden's capabilities on Friday, stating: “Stay the course. Calm down.” However, while emphasizing that he’s loyal to the Biden-Harris alliance, Clyburn also suggested he would back them individually, indirectly suggesting that Vice President Harris could replace Biden if need be.

Both Garcia and Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) attributed the furor to an obsessive desire to prevent Trump's return in November, insisting that Biden was still the right choice.

Garcia stated that the reaction is mainly due to the Democrats’ obsession with defeating Donald Trump, adding, “We are aware that democracy is at stake.” Crockett voiced a similar sentiment, decrying her party's panic.

Speaking to MSNBC’s Ali Velshi on Saturday, Crockett said, "Democrats seem to panic too easily, as if we’re frightened of our own shadows. In my opinion, this stems from our understanding of the stakes and the pressure to present the very best. But let me tell you — there is no greater heart, no better man."

For their part, the Biden campaign has not shown any signs of yielding.

Senior Biden advisor, Anita Dunn, addressed the situation on The Weekend, stating, “A debate is simply one instance in a campaign," and that the question buzzing within Biden's team following the debate wasn't about dropping out, but rather, "So, we had a bad debate. What's our next move?"

In sum, even as waves of criticism and calls for President Biden's withdrawal have gathered momentum, his campaign and several influential Democrats remain unwavered in their support. The promise of resilience and adaptability remains central to their approach. With key figures like Anita Dunn expressing their intent to regroup after the debate debacle, it's clear that the Biden team is not yet ready to back down. Yet, as the political climate evolves, their perseverance may be tested even further. The true measure of their commitment and adaptability may yet be on the horizon.

James del Carmen