'That's our guy': Fetterman backs Biden

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., defended President Joe Biden, as multiple Democrats continue to voice concerns about the incumbent president's decision to stay in the 2024 White House race against Republican Donald Trump.

"He's going to be our guy. That's our guy," Fetterman told CNN on Monday. "Joe Biden has been a great president ... and I'm not going to chuck him for a rough debate."

A shaky performance by Biden in a debate against Trump, the former president and presumptive 2024 GOP nominee, late last month left many Democrats and voters questioning the president's acuity and ability to stay in the race for reelection.

But Fetterman, who was with the president for campaign stops across Pennsylvania Sunday, said he did not see Biden falter.

"He was perfect," Fetterman said. "At every single stop that we had, people were thrilled, I mean, people were thirsty to have their picture taken with the president. And he was crisp, and he was engaged ... he was crushing it."

The Pennsylvania senator went on to say he disagrees with his Democratic colleagues who have called for Biden to exit the race to allow for a different party nominee.

"I believe Joe Biden is actually the right Democrat right now," Fetterman told CNN.

"And also I'd like to point out that 'Sleepy Joe,'" he added, using air quotes, "put Trump to bed in 2020, and I believe he can do this in '24."

Biden also sent congressional Democrats a letter on Monday insisting he is not dropping out of the 2024 race, kick starting a week that is sure to be intense as lawmakers return to Washington following a two-week holiday recess surrounding the Fourth of July.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fetterman backs Biden in face of calls for the president to drop out