Joe Biden tells supporters, "I'm OK," but Democrats continue to disagree about the likelihood of a US election.

Timmy Mabs | 13th July, 2024.

Joe Biden stopped at a Detroit restaurant to speak to supporters.Photo Credit: (Reuters: Elizabeth Frantz)

Democrats are still divided about Joe Biden's bid for US president; while some are increasing pressure on him to withdraw from the race, others are defending him. 

The president is in the battleground state of Michigan for his campaign, one day after giving his rivals two highly shareable gaffes during a prime-time press conference. With his hometown fans, he has cracked jokes about his age and assured them, "I promise you I'm OK."

He remarked, "I'm only 41," to a gathering of people in a Detroit restaurant. "Being the second-youngest man elected to the United States Senate, I was too young for a long time," Mr. Biden stated. 

I'm too old now. 

On the other hand, fortunately, wisdom increases with age. Additionally, I believe that there isn't much of an alternative right now.

In an attempt to right the political ship, Mr. Biden is scheduled to speak at a rally in Detroit in the near future. He has raised concerns about his suitability for government and raised doubts about it.

Two more members of Congress joined the list of Democrats publicly pressing the 81-year-old president to move aside for a younger candidate.

The calls from Colorado's Brittany Petterson and California's Mike Levin mean there are now 19 House Democrats and one senator publicly asking Mr Biden not to run.

"Pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat [Republican candidate] Donald Trump," Ms. Petterson urged Mr. Biden to say. 

After hearing from hundreds of constituents in the two weeks following Mr. Biden's debate with Mr. Trump, Mr. Levin said he had made his choice.

In a letter to the Los Angeles television station KTLA, he stated, "Making this statement is not easy.

" According to the New York Times, while Mr. Biden is still the contender, significant contributors have reportedly frozen $US90 million ($132 million) in pledged contributions. Following Mr. Biden's significant press conference yesterday, Hakeem Jeffries, the most senior Democrat in the House of Representatives, announced that he had asked for and been given a meeting with the president.

In a letter to the Los Angeles television station KTLA, he stated, "Making this statement is not easy." 

According to the New York Times, while Mr. Biden is still the contender, significant contributors have reportedly frozen $US90 million ($132 million) in pledged contributions. 

Following Mr. Biden's significant press conference yesterday, Hakeem Jeffries, the most senior Democrat in the House of Representatives, announced that he had asked for and been given a meeting with the president.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of the Democrats often touted as a possible replacement for Mr Biden, said he had been responding to such suggestions with "delete, delete, delete, delete".

In an interview excerpt published by CBS, Mr Newsom said he was "all in, no daylight" as a supporter of Mr Biden.

And influential South Carolina congressman Jim Clyburn told NBC he was "ridin' with Biden".

Asked if he believed Mr Biden was "still the same man" as he was in 2020, Mr Clyburn said: "Physically, I don't think so. Mentally, I do think so."