Kamala Harris: insiders rally behind VP to replace Biden if he bows out

After president's poor debate performance, pundits point to polls saying Harris would do better in a race against Trump

As Joe Biden faces increasing pressure to withdraw his candidacy following last week's poor debate performance, Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him.

The president forcefully rejected calls to end his campaign on Wednesday, telling his staffers: No one is pushing me out ... I'm not leaving. I'm in this race to the end and we're going to win." His defiant remarks came after the New York Times reported that Biden had privately told allies he understood he might not be able to salvage his candidacy if he could not convince voters of his viability.