Joe Biden digs in for another day with a defiant letter, a surprise interview and frustration with 'the elites'

"US President Joe Biden is continuing to put up a determined fight for his political life.

"He's responded to ongoing pressure to step aside for a younger presidential candidate by writing to his colleagues in Congress and phoning into a TV show to insist he's not going anywhere."

....

"The letter

"Biden tweeted out a letter that he has sent to Democrats in Congress. It said he was "not blind" to the "good faith fears and worries" held by voters and members of his party. But, he wrote, he was "firmly committed to staying in this race".

    "'This morning, I sent a letter to my fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill. In it, I shared my thoughts about this moment in our campaign.'

    "'It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.' pic.twitter.com/ABtAaJrr0n
    — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 8, 2024

"He argued he had a "deep obligation" to the Democratic Party voters who had chosen him as their candidate.

    "'It was their decision to make. Not the press, not the pundits, not the big donors, not any selected group of individuals, no matter how well intentioned. The voters — and the voters alone — decide the nominee of the Democratic Party. How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party?'

"Biden said the 'question of how to move forward' had been 'well-aired for over a week', but it was time for it to end."

"'We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election. Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us.'"