President Biden downplays his disastrous debate performance against former President Trump, attributing it to exhaustion and poor preparation rather than a sign of cognitive decline. He insists he will remain the Democratic presidential nominee despite mounting concerns about his fitness for office.
President Biden, in his first television interview since his widely criticized debate performance against former President Donald Trump, has dismissed the incident as a "bad episode" and rejected suggestions that it indicates a more serious underlying condition.
During an interview with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos, Biden maintained that the debacle was solely his fault and that he alone was responsible for his poor showing.
Biden Dismisses Debate Debacle as "Bad Night," Refuses to Step Aside
"It was a bad episode," Biden said. "No indication of a serious condition. I was exhausted. I didn't listen to my instincts in terms of preparing. It was a bad night."
When asked if his performance was a sign of cognitive decline, Biden responded, "It was a bad episode."
Biden Dismisses Debate Debacle as "Bad Night," Refuses to Step Aside
Biden also accused Trump of lying "28 times" during the debate and suggested that his illness during the debate contributed to his poor performance.
"I was feeling terrible," Biden said. "Matter of fact, the docs with me, I asked if they did a COVID test because they were trying to figure out what's wrong. They did a test to see whether or not I had some infection, you know, a virus. I didn't. Just had a really bad cold."
Biden Dismisses Debate Debacle as "Bad Night," Refuses to Step Aside
Despite mounting speculation about his fitness for office, Biden reiterated his determination to remain the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election.
"Let me say this as clearly as I can: I'm staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump," Biden said at a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, before his interview with ABC News.
Biden Dismisses Debate Debacle as "Bad Night," Refuses to Step Aside
However, a growing number of Democrats are expressing public concern about Biden's viability as a candidate. Four House Democrats, Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), have publicly called for Biden to make way for a new nominee.
Quigley, the latest lawmaker to call for Biden to step aside, said on MSNBC shortly after the ABC News clip aired that he believed Biden's age and declining mental acuity were becoming a liability for the Democratic Party.
"I think it's time for a new generation of leaders," Quigley said.
Several letters have also circulated among House Democrats this week that would call on Biden to step aside, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The stakes for Biden's presidency and the Democratic Party's chances in the 2024 election are high. Biden's inability to articulate his positions clearly and his tendency to make gaffes have raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the country and win re-election.
The president's dismissive attitude toward his debate performance and his refusal to consider stepping aside suggest that he remains confident in his ability to serve as president. However, the growing chorus of Democrats questioning his fitness for office could ultimately force him to reconsider his plans for re-election.
