Biden categorically rejects questions about his resignation
Yes, I'm going, speaking and debating not like before, President Biden states the day after his alarming television appearance. "But I can do this job," he assures energetically. Not all Democrats see it that way.
The day after that, President Biden is preparing for what could be his last political fight. Will he make it through to November and run for re-election? His entourage vehemently denies any questions about a possible resignation from the White House. "This won't happen," someone from the White House said. "Of course he won't step down," Biden's campaign spokeswoman added. No one has publicly requested his resignation yet. But behind the scenes, the possibility is being discussed.
The 81-year-old Biden delivered a disconcerting weak performance the night before on Friday, which dramatically highlighted the doubts about whether he can win in November and govern for four more years. He himself claimed afterwards that the debate had gone well. His wife Jill gushed over Biden, saying he had "answered every question" and presented the facts. She is a teacher, and she spoke in the same vein as she addressed her husband and president.
Less than 24 hours later, Biden took the stage in the state of North Carolina for a campaign event - and presented himself as if he had been replaced. Amidst frenzied cheering supporters, he spoke with a firm, loud voice about his political positions and showed clear edges. He showed all that he had missed the night before - possibly because the teleprompter couldn't help him. Without this, the president had stumbled, seemed uncertain, erratic, and less quick-witted. Even almost a week of intensive preparation had not been enough.
"Do you support me?"
"I know I'm not a young man," Biden said on the stage, and went on the offensive. Yes, he no longer speaks like before, runs like before, and debates like before. "But I know what's right and what's wrong. I know how to tell the truth," he shouted to the jubilant full hall. "I wouldn't run if I didn't believe with all my heart that I can do this job." The crowd responded with "Yes you can" chanting, in reference to Barack Obama's campaign slogan from 2008 ("Yes we can"), with which Biden became Obama's vice president. "Do you support me?"
Many Democrats attempted to downplay the significance of the television appearance. However, according to "Politico," a House representative is quoted as saying that there is a movement to convince Biden not to attend. US media report that high-ranking Democrats in Congress are discussing potential alternative scenarios. In order to do this, they would have to convince the president not to attend the nomination convention in August and thus enable a vote on other candidates.
Silence is no longer an option
Two potential replacement politicians gave Biden public support after the TV debate. California Governor Gavin Newsom said: "We need to support this president. One does not turn away because of a performance." Shooting-Star and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed similar sentiments on the democratically-leaning MSNBC morning show "Morning Joe." It is a program that the president often watches before his appointments.
The media lines in the United States, which were clearly defined before the television debate, are blurring. Biden's age and his fitness for the presidency may become the dominant campaign theme, a topic that even media friendly to the Democrats cannot ignore. The last four years have left noticeable marks on the 81-year-old. If he remains the Democratic candidate, Americans will have to ask themselves: which is preferable to them: an unpredictable Trump or a Biden showing signs of aging?
- Despite the concerns raised after his weak performance during the TV debates, Democratic politicians like Governor Gavin Newsom of California and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro have publicly expressed their support for President Joe Biden's potential involvement in the US presidential election 2024.
- With speculations surrounding Biden's ability to run for re-election in 2024 due to his age and performance during the debates, it's reported that some high-ranking Democrats in Congress are discussing potential alternative scenarios, including persuading the president to skip the nomination convention and allowing votes for other candidates.
- During TV debates, former Vice President Joe Biden faced criticism for his aged appearance and performance, leading some Democrats, such as the House representative quoted by "Politico," to call for convincing Biden not to attend and potentially opening the door for other candidates in the US presidential election 2024.
