Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has unequivocally endorsed President Biden, dismissing calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 race. In a statement to reporters outside the Capitol, Ocasio-Cortez affirmed that Biden has made it clear he will remain in the race, despite concerns regarding his age. “I have spoken to the president over the weekend. I have spoken with him extensively. He made clear then, and he has made clear since, that he is in this race,” she said. “The matter is closed. He had reiterated that this morning. He has reiterated that to the public. Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race and I support him.”
The congresswoman’s unwavering support for Biden comes amid concerns within the Democratic Party regarding his age and recent debate performance. Some Democrats have publicly urged Biden to step aside, citing his age and potential vulnerability against former President Donald Trump in the general election.
Ocasio-Cortez, however, dismissed these concerns, stating that the focus should be on defeating Trump, given his recent convictions in a New York court. “Now what I think is critically important is that we focus on what it takes to win in November. Because he is running against Donald Trump, who is a man with 34 felony convictions – that has committed 34 felony crimes. And not a single Republican has asked for Donald Trump to not be the nominee.”
When asked about fellow lawmakers who feel they need to see more from the president, Ocasio-Cortez maintained her focus on winning in November, stating, “That is all up to their own individual determination, but I’m here to make sure we win in November and that is my focus.”
Despite the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party, Ocasio-Cortez’s forceful endorsement of Biden underscores her commitment to his candidacy and her belief in his ability to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. She has unequivocally shifted the focus away from internal concerns and back to the ultimate goal of winning the presidency in November.
