Despite declining approval ratings and concerns about his age and mental acuity, President Biden insists on staying in the race, dismissing calls from both media and fellow Democrats to step aside.
President Joe Biden's first post-debate interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos was intended to address concerns about his candidacy, but it did little to quell the controversy surrounding his performance. Biden's comments raised further questions about his mental fitness and his ability to serve a second term.
When asked about his age and ability to serve, Biden dismissed the concerns, stating that he is doing the "goodest job" he can. He also appeared uncertain if he had watched his own debate performance, saying, "I don't think I did, no."
President Biden Remains Defiant Amidst Pressure to Drop Out of the Race
Stephanopoulos pointed out Biden's low approval ratings, to which Biden responded dismissively, stating that he did not believe the polls accurately reflected his standing. Biden also claimed that he had "shut Putin down," referring to his handling of the Ukraine conflict, and that he was the one who "put NATO together."
Regarding his mental health, Biden repeatedly dodged questions about whether he had taken a neurological and cognitive exam. Despite Stephanopoulos' repeated attempts to clarify, Biden insisted that he underwent a full neurological test "every day" with his physicals. He denied having had a specific cognitive test conducted by a neurologist.
President Biden Remains Defiant Amidst Pressure to Drop Out of the Race
Biden's refusal to commit to a cognitive test has drawn criticism from various corners. Some Democrats and media personalities have suggested that it raises questions about his transparency and fitness for office.
Stephanopoulos also asked Biden how he would feel if Donald Trump ended up winning the election, considering his previous warnings about the dangers of Trump to democracy. Biden replied that he would feel "if I gave it my all and I did the goodest job as I know I can do, that's what this is about."
President Biden Remains Defiant Amidst Pressure to Drop Out of the Race
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden remains determined to stay in the race. He expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Trump again, stating, "Let me say this as clearly as I can, I am staying in the race. I’ll beat Donald Trump, I will beat him again in 2020."
However, Biden's insistence on staying in the race has been met with skepticism. Some Democrats believe that he is doing more harm to his party and the country by persisting when there are viable alternative candidates.
President Biden Remains Defiant Amidst Pressure to Drop Out of the Race
The controversy surrounding Biden's candidacy is likely to continue as the race progresses. His declining approval ratings and concerns about his age and mental acuity will likely be major talking points in the upcoming debates and beyond.
