President Biden visits Austin amid turmoil in the Democratic party and doubt about candidacy

AUSTIN, Texas — President Joe Biden is coming to Austin next week to the mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the LBJ Presidential Library. His visit comes as calls from within his own party for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee continue.

Top donors, supporters and key lawmakers have been doubtful of Biden’s abilities to carry on his reelection bid after his disastrous June 27 debate performance. Some polls have shown the president’s chances of reelection dipped in the days following the debate, while other polls show it had little effect on voters.

Many Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, are openly warning that Biden will lose the election and hurt Democrats in key down-ballot races, including the Senate election in Texas. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred is challenging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. The state Democratic party also had high hopes of flipping several GOP-controlled state House seats in the 2024 election. 

Thursday, the president gave a nearly one-hour press conference where he answered questions ranging from his age to his administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza.  He reiterated that he does not plan to step aside and insisted he needed to “finish the job” he has been doing the last four years. The president pushed back on the suggestion that he is slowing down or cannot handle the demands of the job.

“My schedule has been full bore,” the president declared. “So if I slow down and I cant get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had undergone three neurological exams while in the White House as part of his annual physical exams — and no more — and said the president has not been diagnosed with or treated for Parkinson’s.

Vice President Kamala Harris was also in Texas this week. She traveled to Dallas on Wednesday, touting the Biden administration’s accomplishments. She did not address the debate about whether Biden should step down, nor did she answer questions about whether Biden should voluntarily step aside.

Biden’s visit also comes on the same day the Republican National Convention starts in Milwaukee. They will likely renominate Trump as their party’s presidential candidate. The former president has not yet named a running mate.