Joe Biden brushes off the increasing pressure from heavyweight Democrats to step aside for another presidential candidate.
"I look forward to continuing the campaign next week," he announces.
As the 81-year-old recovers from a COVID-19 infection, demands for him to step aside are growing. A total of over 30 Democratic members of the House of Representatives and three senators have now urged him to hand over the baton.
"The stakes are high, and the choice is clear. Together, we will win," says the President in a statement from his home in Delaware, where he is resting.
Biden's campaign leader Jen O'Malley Dillon admits that support for the President is wavering but insists that he will "absolutely" run in the election this fall.
Joe Biden is more focused than ever on beating Trump, she tells MSNBC.
In his written statement, Biden takes the opportunity to hit back at his rival, who in his speech at the Republican Convention could not resist attacking Biden, despite saying that the speech would have a more conciliatory tone.
"Donald Trump's dark vision of the future does not reflect who we are as Americans," says Biden.
According to American media reports, even former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have expressed doubts about Biden's ability to defeat Trump in the election.
On Wednesday, Biden tested positive for COVID-19 and had to interrupt a campaign trip. He plans to resume the campaign next week, O'Malley Dillon also says.
