Only "the Lord Almighty" Could Convince Me to Quit Race - Biden
US President Joe Biden, in a rare primetime interview, declared that only “the Lord Almighty” could persuade him to abandon his re-election campaign. Speaking with ABC News on Friday, Biden dismissed suggestions of taking a cognitive test to assure voters of his fitness for another term.
“I have a cognitive test every single day. Everything I do is a test,” Biden told George Stephanopoulos. At 81, Biden firmly rejected calls from some Democratic officials and donors to step aside for a younger candidate after his poor performance in a recent debate against Donald Trump.
Throughout the 22-minute interview, Stephanopoulos pressed Biden on his ability to serve another term. Biden confidently asserted, “I don’t think anybody’s more qualified to be president or win this race than me.”
Biden appeared more coherent than during the debate but still exhibited signs of weakness in his voice. This contrasted sharply with his energetic performance at a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, where he acknowledged the concerns stemming from the debate. “Ever since then, there’s been a lot of speculation. What’s Joe going to do?” he told the crowd. “Here’s my answer: I am running and going to win again,” he declared, receiving cheers from supporters.
The interview and rally come at a crucial juncture for Biden’s campaign, with Democratic donors and allies weighing their support. Reports indicate that the coming days are pivotal for Biden to regain momentum lost to Trump post-debate. At the rally, Biden addressed concerns about his age head-on. “I see all these stories that say I’m too old,” he said, citing his achievements in job creation and student debt relief. “Do you think I’m too old to beat Donald Trump?” he asked, met with resounding “no” from the crowd.
Despite these assertions, pressure mounts from within the Democratic Party for Biden to reconsider his candidacy. Some major donors have threatened to withhold funds unless he steps down. The Biden campaign plans a vigorous comeback, with Jill Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris set to campaign across swing states.
As Biden prepares for another rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, Vice-President Harris has emerged as a potential successor if he were to step aside. The Washington Post reports that Biden’s senior team recognizes the internal pressure to make a decision about his candidacy soon. Four Democratic Representatives have called for his withdrawal, likening him to George Washington in stepping aside for new leadership.
However, no senior Democrats have officially asked Biden to quit. Reports suggest Senator Mark Warner is attempting to rally fellow senators to persuade Biden to drop out. Biden, addressing these reports, stated that Warner appears to be alone in his stance.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, an ally of Biden, urged the president to “carefully evaluate” his position as the Democratic nominee. “Whatever President Biden decides, I am committed to defeating Donald Trump,” she said.
Despite these internal divisions, many Democratic voters continue to support Biden. A Wall Street Journal poll revealed a drop in support among Democrats from 93% in February to 86% recently. At the Madison rally, supporters expressed confidence in Biden’s ability to continue, with some emphasizing the need to focus on Trump’s shortcomings.
Primary school teacher Susan Shotliff, 56, stated, “I’m not worried about his health. I think he can go all the way to the election and beyond.” Others, like health researcher Thomas Leffler, voiced concerns about Biden’s capacity but pledged to vote Democrat regardless.
Biden’s campaign remains focused on countering the narrative of his unfitness, highlighting his accomplishments and determination to defeat Trump in the upcoming election.
