US presidential election - Biden wipes away doubts: Only God can change my mind
Joe Biden dismissed any doubts about his qualification as a presidential candidate and reacted unequivocally to increasing criticism in a much-watched television interview with ABC News. "I don't think anyone is more qualified to be President or win this race than I am," he said in the 20-minute long interview. Only God could move him to withdraw. Meanwhile, more democratic representatives spoke out against another bid from the incumbent.
With the interview, the oldest US President in history, who is 81 years old, intended to engage in damage control. However, according to initial assessments from experts, the interview did not help clear the doubts about him within his party. Biden's appearance did not convey that he had understood the gravity of the situation. Instead, he questioned the validity of the polls, which showed him losing support in the past few days. "I don't buy that," he said. His advisors would tell him something different.
Biden resists cognitive ability tests
A week ago, during the first televised debate with his Republican challenger Donald Trump before the November election, Biden had given a disastrous performance, forgetting his promises and losing the thread. In the US, a debate ensued about whether Biden was the right Democratic candidate to effectively keep Trump out of the White House.
Biden refused to undergo a medical test of his cognitive abilities on multiple requests from journalist George Stephanopoulos. "I undergo a cognitive test every day. (...) I'm not just campaigning, I'm running the world," Biden emphasized. That might sound exaggerated, but the US is indeed the most important nation in the world. Stephanopoulos had previously asked Biden if he was willing to submit to an independent medical examination that included neurological and cognitive tests and if he would make the results public.
Trump had undergone such a test during his tenure. He had been confronted with doubts about his mental capacity due to his erratic political style. The Republican decided to undergo testing - and passed with 30 out of 30 points, according to his doctor.
"Only God" can make Biden withdraw
Biden's age and mental state are the main campaign issues in the US. The President had to answer various questions about this topic in the interview, with political content taking a back seat. Stephanopoulos did not deviate from the topic, while Biden tried to focus on the achievements of his tenure. According to the ABC network, the interview was broadcast in its entirety. Biden had no major gaffes or slips, but he sometimes searched for words.
Stephanopoulos also asked Biden what could make him withdraw from the race. Biden referred to God and answered: "If the Almighty comes and says, 'Joe, get out of the race,' then I'll get out of the race. But the Almighty isn't going to come," said the devout Catholic.
Biden refused to delve into what would happen if his confidants warned him that his behavior could negatively impact the majorities in the US Congress. "I will not answer that question. That's not going to happen," Biden replied. Everyone would tell him to stay in the race.
In the November election, in addition to the Presidential position, many seats in the Parliament will be given out. Among Democrats, there is growing anxiety that the Republicans could control both the White House and the Congress in the future.
Representative: Prevent a total disaster
Just before the interview was broadcast, another Democratic representative openly called on Biden to withdraw. Only if Biden stepped down, a "total disaster" could be prevented, warned Mike Quigley. Reports suggest that Senator Mark Warner is trying to rally a group of Democrats to convince Biden to withdraw. Asked about Warner, Biden said: "He's a good man... I respect him."
The Democrat is currently fighting on all fronts to save his presidential campaign. In this, he is also relying on numerous campaign rallies. At an event in the US state of Wisconsin, he said: "I'm staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump." On Sunday, he plans to campaign in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the duties of office also demand his attention, especially since the NATO summit is scheduled to take place in the US capital Washington in the coming week.
Officially, Biden has already secured the presidency for his party - he is supposed to be officially nominated by the Democrats at their convention from August 19-22 in Chicago. In the primaries, he collected the necessary delegate votes. Notable competition in the primary campaign he did not have. If he were to voluntarily throw in the towel or be forced to withdraw, the Democrats would have to quickly agree on a replacement.
- In the interview, Biden was asked by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News about undergoing cognitive ability tests, but he firmly refused, stating that he undergoes a cognitive test every day and is running the world as the US President.
- During the interview, Stephanopoulos also asked Biden about what could make him withdraw from the presidential race, and Biden responded by references to God, stating that only if God told him to leave the race would he do so.
- Amidst growing criticism, Biden is facing calls from some Democratic representatives to withdraw from the election campaign, with one representative warning of a "total disaster" if he does not step down.
- In response to the calls for him to withdraw, Biden has been holding numerous campaign rallies, such as one in Wisconsin, and has announced plans to campaign in Pennsylvania soon.
- Despite the calls for him to withdraw, Biden has officially secured the presidency for his party and is set to be formally nominated by the Democrats at their convention in Chicago.
- Withights of the #USElection2024, the Republican challenger, Donald Trump, had previously undergone a medical test of his cognitive abilities, passing with 30 out of 30 points according to his doctor, and this has sparked discussions about the need for presidential candidates to undergo such tests in the future.
