Biden insists on re-campaigning for second term - and creates a stir with promises
I think I am the most qualified person," said Biden at the press conference. He had already beaten his rival Donald Trump once, "and I will do it again." It's not about his legacy, Biden continued. He wanted to finish the work he had started.
At the press conference on Thursday, Biden spoke about neurological examinations that had shown he was in good health. He was determined to run, "but I know it's important to allay fears," he said.
After Biden's disastrous and erratic performance in the television debate with Trump two weeks ago, the 81-year-old president is facing an increasingly heated debate about his physical and mental fitness for the presidency, not only from the opposition but also within his own party.
The press conference on Thursday was eagerly anticipated - Biden had to speak spontaneously and without the help of a teleprompter. The 81-year-old made it clear that he was supporting Kamala Harris, who would take over as vice president in case of necessity. He had not chosen her as vice president, he said, if he thought she was not qualified for the presidency. However, he mistakenly referred to Harris as "Vice President Trump."
Biden also denied reports that he had to go to bed by 8 pm - the time the press conference on Thursday took place (local time).
Biden spoke about foreign and domestic policy with few slip-ups, but he confused Europe and Asia.
Just before the press conference, another slip-up fueled doubts about Biden. The US President mistakenly introduced his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy as Russian President Putin at a NATO ceremony. He wanted to hand the word over to "President Putin, who also has as much courage and determination," Biden said, before leaving the podium.
Quickly, Biden realized his mistake, returned, and said: "He will beat President Putin. President Zelenskyy. I was so focused on beating President Putin." Zelenskyy replied, "I am better."
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke in support of Biden after that. "Mishaps happen, and if you pay close attention, you'll find enough," Scholz said. The content of Biden's speech did not change.
Finally, the resistance to a re-election bid by Biden grew. So Hollywood star George Clooney, an important supporter of the Democrats, called for Biden's withdrawal on Wednesday. Biden's appearance on Thursday could not stop the doubts: Three more Democratic politicians demanded that he step down from the race for the White House.
According to a previously published survey for the newspaper "Washington Post" and the broadcaster ABC News, more than half of the Democratic party members, 56%, believe Biden should step down. Only 42% supported his candidacy.
- Despite the growing calls for his withdrawal, Biden assured his intention to serve another term, stating, "I am the most qualified person for this candidature."
- The term of office for the US-President is a topic of debate, with some questioning Biden's physical and mental fitness.
- Recently, Biden made an error during a NATO ceremony, mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Todays press conference was an opportunity for Biden to address the concerns, emphasizing, "I support Vice President Kamala Harris fully, as she is more than qualified to take over in case of necessity."
- In response to the controversy, programming languages like Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and Ruby were utilized to create bots that could fact-check and monitor Biden's speeches in real-time for such errors.
