Washington, D.C.: President Joe Biden faced a significant test on Thursday, taking questions from the White House press corps in a solo news conference. This event aimed to reassure Democratic lawmakers, allies, and persuadable voters of Biden’s strength and stamina as he seeks reelection.
Biden addressed concerns about his recent performance, particularly after a less-than-stellar debate showing against Republican Donald Trump on June 27. At 81, Biden has faced scrutiny regarding his vigor and commanding presence as the commander-in-chief.
During the news conference, Biden made notable gaffes, mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” and calling Vice President Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.” Despite these errors, Biden provided detailed responses on topics such as preserving NATO and his plans for a second term. He emphasized his determination to continue his presidency, despite some Democratic lawmakers urging him to step aside.
Addressing his slip-ups, Biden deflected criticism about his “Vice President Trump” comment, responding to a reporter by saying, “Listen to him,” before leaving the stage. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut promptly issued a statement calling for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Biden reiterated his confidence in Harris, stating, “I wouldn’t have picked her unless I thought she was qualified to be president,” highlighting her experience as a prosecutor and U.S. Senator. He also acknowledged moving past his 2020 campaign promise to be a “bridge” to a new generation of Democrats, citing the gravity of the situation he inherited.
Throughout the press conference, Biden insisted, “I’ve got to finish this job,” and dismissed any notion of stepping down for Harris, stating, “No, unless they come back and said there’s no way you can win.”
Biden praised the NATO summit and discussed his administration’s achievements, including inflation reduction and the creation of 800,000 manufacturing jobs. He also announced plans to cap rent growth for tenants of landlords in a low-income housing tax-credit program.
In his opening remarks, Biden emphasized NATO’s importance, contrasting his support with Trump’s skepticism of the alliance. He highlighted his role in integrating Finland into NATO and addressed concerns about China’s support for Russia.
The news conference aimed to showcase Biden’s capability to handle foreign policy and domestic issues, despite ongoing scrutiny of his performance. While Biden’s answers lacked fireworks, they demonstrated his ability to engage with reporters on various topics without losing focus.
The event underscored the heightened scrutiny Biden faces, with every word and action analyzed for potential slip-ups as he continues his campaign for a second term.
