KATHMANDU: President Joe Biden emphatically declared on Wednesday his intention to continue his reelection campaign, countering mounting speculation within the Democratic Party that his lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump had jeopardized his candidacy and led to calls for him to withdraw.

"I am running. I am the leader of the Democratic Party. No one is pushing me out," Biden assured his staff, according to a campaign aide. Alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, he made an unexpected appearance on a Democratic National Committee call, using the opportunity to rally support and underscore the stakes of the upcoming 2024 election.

Biden acknowledged his subpar performance in the debate, where he at times lost his train of thought and made incorrect statements, such as mistakenly claiming he had eliminated Medicare. Despite concerns raised by some Democrats about his mental and physical stamina for both the campaign and potential second term in office, top party figures including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have voiced their support for Biden.

Governors from several states also affirmed their backing for Biden, despite critiques of his debate showing. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, acknowledged the debate's shortcomings but asserted Biden's fitness for office. Maryland Governor Wes Moore reiterated Biden's status as the Democratic nominee and party leader, while Hawaii Governor Josh Green emphasized the distinction between debating skills and presidential leadership qualities.

Behind the scenes, White House officials have been reassuring Biden's supporters and donors, emphasizing his resilience and the strength of his campaign team. Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez sought to downplay the debate fallout in a memo, citing polling data that indicates a close race between Biden and Trump nationally.

Biden himself addressed concerns about his physical exhaustion, attributing his debate performance to a demanding travel schedule preceding the event. Despite calls from a few Democratic officials, such as Representative Raul Grijalva, for Biden to step aside in favor of other candidates, the broader sentiment among party leaders remains supportive of Biden's candidacy as the path forward to challenge Trump in the upcoming election remains uncertain.