RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — President Joe Biden is insisting he is staying in the race for President despite a growing number of Democrats suggesting he step aside.
“Obviously there is division right now, but we just have to find a path forward to unity,” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D) said at an event in Richmond on Monday.
In a letter to Congressional Democrats, Biden said, “It’s time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump.”
“Of course that is what he feels today,” Kaine said. “Again, it is the 8th of July and it is early in this discussion in the aftermath of the debate, so we will see.”
Kaine acknowledged that he’s had discussions with his Congressional colleagues in the last week about Biden’s future as the Democratic nominee. Kaine wouldn’t share the details of those conversations publicly or say whether Biden should drop out or stay the course.
“I just have a fundamental belief in his patriotic ability to put country first, and I think that is what he is going to do and I trust that he will,” said Kaine.
Regardless of Biden’s decision, Kaine says the public division within the Democratic Party could make it harder for whoever the nominee is come November.
“It’s not helpful,” Kaine said. “I mean, we need to be unified to be successful. I do see paths forward where we can be unified, but that’s a burden on our shoulders.”
On the state level, Virginia’s Legislative Black Caucus has come out in support of President Biden, saying a second Biden Presidency will “keep America moving forward.”
