NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden is looking to recapture his mojo and reassure donors at a Saturday fundraiser that he is fully up to the challenge of beating Donald Trump.
The 81-year-old’s troubling performance at the first presidential debate Thursday rattled many Democrats, who see Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as an existential threat to U.S. democracy. Biden’s meandering answers and struggles to respond to Trump prompted The New York Times editorial board to declare Friday that he should exit the race and that staying in would be a “reckless gamble.”
Biden and his wife, Jill, attended an afternoon campaign event in East Hampton, New York, the Long Island beach town where the real estate firm Zillow prices the median home at $1.9 million. Based on public records, the event that was closed to the news media was at the home of Avram Glazer, an owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team.
Scheduled later was an evening fundraiser in Red Bank, New Jersey.
In the aftermath of Thursday night’s debate, Biden flashed more vigor in speeches in North Carolina and New York on Friday, saying he believes with “all my heart and soul” that he can do the job of the presidency.
The Biden campaign said it has raised more than $27 million on Thursday and Friday, including $3 million at a New York City fundraiser focused on the LGBTQ+ community.
Jill Biden told supporters Friday that he said to her after the debate, “You know, Jill, I don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel that great.” The first lady then said she responded to him, “Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you’ve been president.”
The Democratic president still needs to allay the fears stirred by the debate as it seeped into the public conscience with clips and memes spreading on the internet and public pressure for him to bow out of the race.
Democratic donors across New York, Southern California and Silicon Valley privately expressed deep concerns about the viability of Biden’s campaign in the wake of his debate performance.
In a series of text message chains and private conversations, they discussed the short list of possible replacements, a group that included Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris.
But on Friday, there was no formal push to pressure Biden to step aside and some suspected there never would be given the logistical challenges associated with replacing the presumptive nominee just four months before Election Day.
Some donors noted they were going to pause their personal giving. They said receipts from Biden’s weekend fundraiser would almost certainly be strong because the tickets were sold and paid for before the debate.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, once considered the frontrunner in the race for the Democratic nomination for president, has recently faced challenges in maintaining his momentum. After lackluster performances in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, Biden is now turning to appeals to donors in an effort to regain his footing in the race.
Biden’s campaign has been heavily reliant on fundraising from donors, with the former vice president often emphasizing his ability to attract support from a broad coalition of donors. However, recent reports have indicated that Biden’s fundraising efforts have lagged behind those of some of his rivals, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
In response to these challenges, Biden has been ramping up his appeals to donors in recent weeks. The campaign has been hosting a series of high-dollar fundraising events, including a recent event in New York City that featured appearances by prominent Democratic donors and supporters. Biden has also been reaching out to donors through email and social media, urging them to contribute to his campaign in order to help him compete in the upcoming primaries.
Biden’s appeals to donors come at a crucial time in the race, as the next set of primary contests in Nevada and South Carolina loom on the horizon. These contests will be critical for Biden, who is hoping to regain momentum and solidify his position as a top contender for the Democratic nomination.
Despite his recent setbacks, Biden remains confident in his ability to appeal to donors and build a strong fundraising base. The former vice president has a long history of fundraising success, dating back to his time as a senator and vice president. Biden’s campaign is banking on his experience and track record to help him attract the financial support needed to compete effectively in the remaining primary contests.
As the race for the Democratic nomination heats up, all eyes will be on Joe Biden and his efforts to regain momentum through appeals to donors. With the support of his fundraising base, Biden is hoping to turn the tide in his favor and emerge as the Democratic nominee for president in November.
