Joe Biden took to the stage at his Thursday night news conference with everything on the line – his presidency, his re-election hopes, and his political life. Despite these high stakes, he barely acknowledged them during the hour-long session marking the end of a NATO summit. Earlier, he had mistakenly introduced Ukraine’s President Zelensky as “President Putin” at a separate event.
Addressing Concerns
The conference was Biden’s first unscripted appearance following a disastrous debate with his rival, Donald Trump. This debate had led to calls from several Democratic politicians and donors for Biden to drop out of the race. At 81, Biden has faced continuous questions about his age and ability to serve another term, concerns that intensified after the debate. However, throughout the very anticipated conference, he disregarded those worries, reiterating that he became fighting now not for his legacy but to complete the task he commenced in 2021. If I slow down and can’t get the process done, that’s a signal I shouldn’t be doing it, he said. “But there’s no indication of that yet.
Democratic Doubts
Minutes after the conference concluded, several more Democratic members of Congress publicly called on Biden to step down, joining at least a dozen other lawmakers in his party who had already done so. The critical question for Biden’s campaign is whether this will open the floodgates or if the tide will hold.
Notable Gaffes
Viewers will remember two significant gaffes during the conference. In his first answer, he called his own Vice-President Kamala Harris “Vice-President Trump,” a painful error in front of a national television audience. An hour earlier, at a NATO event, he had introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin,” prompting gasps from the audience. He corrected the first mistake quickly but did not catch the second one, even as some reporters murmured in surprise and several top Cabinet secretaries sat stone-faced.
Pressing On
Despite these stumbles, Biden appeared determined, insisting he would continue his campaign. He laughed and smiled as he answered questions, asserting he could keep up with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping. He also addressed concerns about his cognitive abilities, stating he didn’t need cognitive tests and that critics wouldn’t be satisfied.
Campaign Confidence
Biden insisted the election campaign had barely started and expressed confidence that he could beat Donald Trump in November. He noted that Democratic delegates were free to change their minds but mockingly whispered, “It’s not going to happen.” He said he would consider stepping aside if his staff provided data showing he couldn’t win, but current polls still show the race as a dead heat.
Polling and Party Pressure
Polling alone won’t ease Democratic officials’ panic, and the storm clouds over Biden’s campaign won’t quickly disappear. Reports suggest more Democratic politicians are poised to announce their break with the president after waiting until the NATO summit concludes to voice their concerns.
Looking Ahead
Biden faces another high-profile interview with Lester Holt on Monday. Donors are anxious, and reports indicate that even figures within his campaign are plotting ways to usher him toward the exit. Despite these challenges, Biden made it clear that getting the nomination from him would be difficult. The 81-year-old, who at times gripped the podium with two hands, insisted he was the “best-qualified person” to run the country and would not exit the stage quietly.
