Bernie Sanders says Joe Biden will beat Donald Trump 'badly', urges Democrats to 'stop bickering' and support President

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) has urged Democrats to stop their internal conflicts following two weeks of intense public discussion over whether President Joe Biden should be presidential candidate.

In a New York Times op-ed on Saturday, July 13, Sanders wrote, “Enough! Mr Biden may not be the ideal candidate, but he will be the candidate and should be the candidate. And with an effective campaign that speaks to the needs of working families, he will not only defeat Mr Trump but beat him badly."

"It’s time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking,” he added of members of Democrats public debate following Biden's disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27.

Bernie Sanders' support for Joe Biden amid debate fallout

Despite widespread criticism from many Democrats, including 19 Congressional Democrats who have suggested Joe Biden step down, Sanders has stood by the 81-year-old commander-in-chief.

During the first live presidential debate in Atlanta, Biden appeared to lack energy and stumbled throughout the event, sparking concerns within his own party over his age, mental fitness, and ability to serve another four-year term.

However, Sanders has expressed his support for Biden since the debate and repeatedly highlighted the president's accomplishments during his term.

“Yes. I know: Mr Biden is old, is prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Mr Trump. But this I also know: A presidential election is not an entertainment contest. It does not begin or end with a 90-minute debate,” he wrote. 

Joe Biden's response to age concerns

In response to concerns about his age and debate fallout, Biden has acknowledged his shortcomings and claimed he had "a bad night."

Since the debate, the president delivered speeches at rallies, gave live interviews and held the concluding press conference at the NATO summit on Thursday, July 12.

However, these efforts have not quelled all doubts as Democrats have continued to call on Biden to drop out of the race, according to The Hill.

Bernie Sanders says Democrats have joined the 'circular firing squad'

In the op-ed, Sanders criticized the corporate media for their continued focus on the debate and members of the Democratic Party joining "the circular firing squad.” 

“For over two weeks now, the corporate media has obsessively focused on the June presidential debate and the cognitive capabilities of a man who has, perhaps, the most difficult and stressful job in the world,” he wrote.

“The media has frantically searched for every living human being who no longer supports the president or any neurologist who wants to appear on TV. Unfortunately, too many Democrats have joined that circular firing squad,” added Sanders.