Biden heads out on public events blitz as White House pushes back on pressure to leave the race

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House announced Tuesday that President Joe Biden will meet with Democratic lawmakers and governors, sit for a network TV interview and hold a press conference in the coming days as he pushes back against growing pressure to step aside in the 2024 race after his disastrous performance in last week’s debate with Republican Donald Trump.

“We really want to turn the page on this,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of the intensifying calls for Biden to bow out of the race. She added that the 81-year-old president had no intention of stepping aside, characterizing his debate failings as simply evidence of “a bad night” when he had a cold.

The White House was also holding an all-staff meeting on Wednesday, billed as a morale-booster following the debate and a chance for the senior team to keep the staff focused around governing, according to three people familiar with the details who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

But Democratic leaders were increasingly signaling that they were not buying White House attempts to brush off Biden's performance in the face-off, when he gave halting and nonsensical answers, as just a momentary lapse.