In an energetic campaign speech, US President Joe Biden tried to convince both voters and party colleagues that he can handle four more years in the presidential office.
We must finish the job. And I promise you, I'm okay, says Biden to voters in Michigan.
Michigan is an extra important state to win for the Democrats in the presidential election in November, if they are to have a chance to beat the Republicans with Donald Trump at the helm.
During a campaign meeting in Detroit on Friday evening, local time, Biden admitted that there had been much speculation about him stepping down – something he firmly rejects.
This is my answer: I'll continue and we'll win, said Biden to an enthusiastic audience that chanted "don't jump off!".
You voters nominated me. You decided. No one else. And I'm not going anywhere.
Energetic and fired up
The pressure has increased on the US President after his much-questioned performance in a TV-broadcast debate against Donald Trump. Critics argue that 81-year-old Biden is neither mentally nor physically fit for four more years in the presidential office – and therefore demand that he step down and let someone else stand as the Democratic presidential candidate in the election.
The criticism has been raised by both his party colleagues and important donors to the party. Around 90 million dollars in promised donations will be paused until Biden steps down, reported the New York Times on Friday.
During the meeting in Detroit, Biden appeared energetic and fired up – a stark contrast to the confused and aged performance he made during some previous appearances.
Reporters booed
In connection with a NATO meeting on Thursday, Biden mixed up Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj with Russia's Vladimir Putin, and later in the day, he referred to his Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump".
In Detroit, Biden did his best to dismiss the mistakes. Reporters who were present to cover the meeting were booed after Biden addressed them and said that they "go hard on me because I sometimes mix up names".
He then urged the journalists to "focus on Trump's lies" instead.
