Biden’s family tells him to stay in U.S. presidential race

Family of United States President, Joe Biden, has told him to stay in the race for a second term despite a disastrous debate performance, as some family members criticised how his staff had prepared him for last week’s face-off against challenger Donald Trump.

Biden spent Sunday at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, with the first lady, Jill Biden, his children and grandchildren.

While the trip was scheduled previously for a shoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz for the upcoming Democratic National Convention, it also became an exercise in trying to figure out how to quell party anxiety following Thursday’s dismal showing.

While his family was aware of how poorly the 81-year-old performed against Trump, they also think he remains the best person to beat the Republican and that he is capable of doing the job of president for another four years, the Associated Press reported, citing people who asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorised to speak publicly about internal discussions.

Jill Biden and his son Hunter, the people he listens to most in the world, were among the most vociferous supporters, the AP added.

The New York Times, quoting people close to the situation, also said that Biden’s family was urging him to stay in the race and keep fighting. The paper said some of the family privately expressed exasperation at how his staff had prepared him for Thursday night’s event.

Calls for Biden to step aside have continued since Thursday when the president appeared raspy, trailed off and at times gave convoluted answers.