While his family was aware of how poorly he performed against Donald Trump, they also continue to think he’s the best person to beat the Republican presumptive nominee.

President Joe Biden’s family used a Sunday gathering at Camp David to urge him to stay in the race and keep fighting despite his dreadful debate performance, and some members criticized how his staff prepared him for the faceoff, according to four people familiar with the discussions.

Biden spent the day sequestered with first lady Jill Biden, his children and grandchildren. It was a previously scheduled trip to the presidential retreat in Maryland for a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

But the gathering was also an exercise in trying to figure out how to quell Democratic anxiety that has exploded following Thursday’s performance.

While his family was aware of how poorly he performed against Donald Trump, they also continue to think he’s the best person to beat the Republican presumptive nominee. They also believe he is capable of doing the job of president for another four years, according to the people who were not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      1814·
      5 months ago

      Yes. You should. Because the alternative is a dictator. So if he is the nominee, you should support him.

    • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
      712·
      5 months ago

      What is the downside of supporting him?

      We know he advances progressive policies that benefit hundreds of millions of people.

      Voting him in keeps a sane person in the White House.

      He’s already shown how active he is as president in his first term, regardless of his age.

      I don’t see the downside of voting for someone who has already proven themselves to be a good president.

      • Asifall@lemmy.world
        3·
        5 months ago

        At this point the downside is that if that debate is the best he can do then he’s absolutely going to lose.

        If he does make it to Election Day without dropping out or dropping dead then yeah we may as well vote for him, but that seems like a terrible position to be in.

      • Nutteman@lemmy.world
        74·
        5 months ago

        Because he was not a “good” president. He’s been mediocre to a complete disappointment for many of us who are actually progressive and want to see some change for the better.

        • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
          76·
          5 months ago

          Actual pogressives care about lgbtq+ rights, sustainable technology, investing in critical infrastructure, taxing billionaires and fixing the climate, all issues that the Biden administration has dedicated significant time and resources to.

          You don’t know who or what you’re talking about.

          • Nutteman@lemmy.world
            66·
            5 months ago

            I think you’re just upset that your geriatric genocide apologist candidate is disliked for very real reasons and is an active barrier to real change in this country. You’re not a progressive. You are a centrist. A coward. A bootlicker.

            • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
              44·
              5 months ago

              Haha, no.

              I’m sorry you’re having such difficulty with reality, but civil rights and green technology is the future.

              Must be difficult living in a progressive world leaving you behind.

              • Nutteman@lemmy.world
                43·
                5 months ago

                You’re a silly little fella I’ll tell you what. I’m an actual leftist. You are a liberal with no real principles or ideology. You’re controlled opposition and a joke.

                edit: lol this fuckin nerd dm’d me to complain I’m insulting him for being a yellow-bellied centrist