Biden to attend California fundraiser amid calls for him to step aside

President Joe Biden speaks to supporters as first lady Jill Biden, left, looks on at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pa., on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

LAGUNA BEACH – President Joe Biden, who is still working to re- solidify support of Democrats following a shaky debate performance, is expected to visit Laguna Beach, California, July 26 for a campaign fundraiser.

Details were scant, but an invitation obtained by The New York Times indicated that Biden will attend an event in Laguna Beach hosted by Getty oil heiress and frequent Democratic donor Anne Earhart and longtime political consultant and activist Janet Keller.

According to The New York Times, tickets will range from $1,000 to $250,000.

Biden was last in Southern California in mid-June, attending a June 15 star-studded fundraiser in downtown Los Angeles that also featured former President Barack Obama and first lady Jill Biden. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel moderated part of the event, which also included appearances by George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack Black, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jason Bateman and Kathryn Hahn.

Biden campaign officials said the event raised more than $28 million, the most at a Democratic Party fundraiser.

Twelve days after that event, however, the campaign took a hit with Biden’s uneven performance in a debate with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Biden’s performance led to questions about his age – 81 – and ability to serve out another term.

Some have questioned whether Biden should step aside in favor of another candidate – suggestions that Biden has spent the past week rebuffing.

Biden sent a letter to House Democrats on Monday saying it is time to put doubts about his competency behind them and coalesce behind his campaign. Biden also called into the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” to say he has no intention of leaving the race.

“I haven’t lost. I beat him last time. I’ll beat him this time.”

— President Biden defends his campaign amid calls to drop out of the 2024 race https://t.co/R0SPXaRmb0 pic.twitter.com/Xxp224eSBR

— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) July 8, 2024

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said she would try to attend the fundraiser.

Foley said she was pleased to see Biden “staying the course. We have to stay the course. The goal is to win the White House and we can’t make a change at this point. And he’s been a good president.” (CNS)