In admitting the fatigue, President Biden acknowledged his need for more sleep and reduced work hours, including avoiding events after 8 pm, during a meeting with Democratic governors. The New York Times reported that this declaration came as Biden aimed to reassure over two dozen key supporters about his ongoing dedication to his role and his readiness to vigorously campaign against Republican rival Donald Trump.

The 81-year-old, 46th U.S. President's comments about taking more rest reflect his awareness of growing concerns about his recent failure of judgement. His losing strength in performance at the previous month’s presidential debate attracted a huge amount of criticism and alarming Democrats. Despite these issues, Biden emphasised his determination to remain in the presidential race during the meeting, which included governors both physically present at the White House and others joining virtually.

Sources indicated that Biden attributed his recent performance challenges to his extensive international travel schedule leading up to the debate. Both the White House and Biden’s allies have cited this as the cause of his lack of confidence and slow performance. Initially, his campaign attributed the performance issues to a cold, but the President later admitted to pushing himself too hard and neglecting advice regarding his schedule. He acknowledged the need to lighter workload and take more rest, particularly by avoiding any late-night engagements.

President Biden
Image Source: Entertainment Weekly

During the meeting, Biden also joked about his health, saying, "I'm fine — I don't know about my brain, though." His campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, afterwards clarified that he was "clearly making a joke."

Although some governors privately expressed concerns about Biden continuing his campaign, none directly suggested that he should withdraw from the race, according to the report.

Biden reportedly also acknowledged to allies that he is aware he might not be able to secure a second term if he regains the confidence of voters or cannot demonstrate his capabilities following the debate. This acknowledgment highlights the pressure on Biden to clear doubts about his ability to lead and campaign effectively.

As the campaign progresses, Biden's team will need to address these concerns and adjust his schedule to ensure he remains in peak form. This incident highlights the delicate balance required for a president between the demands of office with the demanding conditions of a re-election campaign.

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