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Joe Biden walks tightrope after rocky debate with Donald Trump: Replay

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden continued walking a tightrope on Tuesday after a disastrous debate performance raised new concerns among voters about whether he can defeat former President Donald Trump in November.

Democrats in Congress weren't out for blood as a debate rages in the party over whether Biden should stay in the 2024 presidential election – but concerns remain following pivotal, private meetings between members.

An example: Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., told reporters that he believes Biden is a great president but declined to say whether he also thinks the 81-year-old incumbent is the best candidate for Democrats to defeat former President Donald Trump this fall.

“He’s the nominee,” McGovern said when asked if Biden is the strongest Democratic option. “I think if he’s the candidate, we will prevail.”

Still, Biden has already publicly lost the support of more than a handful of prominent or vulnerable Democrats since his stumbling debate performance.

The president has doubled down on his refusal to step aside. He sent a public letter on Monday to congressional Democrats, saying that he has secured the delegates necessary to be nominated and that he still believes he is the only person who can win against Trump.

The White House also said Tuesday that Biden plans to serve his full second term in office, which would make him president at 86 years old, if he’s reelected in November.

Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's live coverage.

Biden bashes Putin's invasion of Ukraine during NATO speech

Joe Biden called NATO "The single greatest, most effective defensive alliance in the history of the world," during his address to the defensive alliance, saying leaders from Europe and North America should "Look back with pride at all we've achieved" and "look ahead to our shared future."

But Biden also attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin during his address over his bloody invasion of Ukraine. He announced that the United States would be providing new air defenses to Ukraine, saying that the country "can and will stop Putin."

– Marina Pitofsky

Cook Political Report update marks bad news for Biden

Election prognosticator group Cook Political Report shifted six states toward Donald Trump Tuesday, including several that must win states in order for Democrats to hold the White House.

Seventh House Democrat calls on Biden to step aside from race

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J. became the seventh House Democrat to call on Joe Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race, signaling that discontent within congressional Democrats over Biden's candidacy remains.

“I am asking that (Biden) declare that he won’t run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee," Sherrill said in a statement.

– Ken Tran

What has Joe Biden said about Project 2025?

Joe Biden slammed Donald Trump last week over his connections to Project 2025, the highly detailed and controversial 900-page “Mandate for Leadership” that lays out a plan and personnel to reconstruct the country's executive branch.

The 2025 Presidential Transition Project, as it is otherwise known, is a product of The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank. Several of those who have worked to construct the administration-in-waiting for the next conservative president to adopt are former Trump administration officials. The project contains a 180-day transition plan and includes a domestic and foreign policy agenda.