Joe Biden dismisses calls to stand aside as concern grows among Democrats over president’s chances

Senior House politicians meeting to discuss candidacy

US president Joe Biden and Bishop Ernest C Morris Sr attend a church service in Pennsylvania. Photo: Reuters

Andrea Shalala

An embattled US president Joe Biden faced escalating pressure yesterday from fellow Democrats worried about his candidacy, concerns he aimed to ease with campaign stops in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Mr Biden (81) has faced growing calls to end his re-election bid after a halting performance in a June 27 debate with Republican Donald Trump (78) raised questions about his ability to do the job for another four years. He has vowed to stay in the race, dismissing calls for him to drop out as “nonsense” in a fundraising email on Saturday.