Biden seeks to project strength and calm Democrat jitters on campaign trail

US President Joe Biden sits with Bishop Ernest C Morris Sr at a church service at Mount Airy Church of God in Christ in Philadelphia (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

US President Joe Biden was attending a black church and rallying with union members on Sunday in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania, trying to project enough strength for his re-election campaign to quell a growing clamour from within in his own party for him to bow out of the race.

The pair of appearances come after Mr Biden joined a Saturday call with campaign surrogates, and reiterated that he has no plans to step aside, while urging unity among top Democrats.