WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden firmly declared on Thursday that he will seek another term and win, despite a series of verbal missteps during a major summit that has intensified scrutiny of his capability.
The 81-year-old president aimed to project command as he led the NATO summit in Washington, following a troubling debate performance that raised concerns among Democrats about his chances against Donald Trump.
Biden mistakenly introduced Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin but quickly corrected himself. During an evening news conference, he also referred to “Vice President” Trump. Nevertheless, Biden reaffirmed his intention to stay in the race, stating, “I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again.”
Despite being the oldest person ever elected to the White House, Biden emphasized that he is “not in this for my legacy” but to “complete the job I started.” He acknowledged the growing calls from within his party to step down, underscoring his support for Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he mistakenly called Trump. Biden asserted that he would not have chosen Harris if she were not qualified to be president.
Addressing concerns about his health, Biden dismissed rumors of an early bedtime, claiming, “Instead of my every day starting at 7:00 am and going to bed at midnight, it would be smarter for me to pace myself a little more.”
On foreign policy, Biden announced progress towards a ceasefire in Gaza, expressing determination to end the conflict. He also affirmed his readiness to handle international leaders like Putin and China’s Xi Jinping well into a second term.
To address doubts about his mental fitness, Biden revealed that he has undergone three extensive neurological exams, which indicated he is in “good shape.” Despite recent gaffes, fellow leaders at the summit, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, defended Biden’s capabilities.
However, prominent Democrats, including actor George Clooney and party veteran Nancy Pelosi, have voiced doubts about Biden’s candidacy. A recent poll showed that more than half of Democrats believe Biden should withdraw, with the president and Trump currently tied at 46 percent support.
Meanwhile, Biden’s campaign is testing Vice President Harris’ potential in a match-up against Trump, although the White House has dismissed reports of internal discussions about convincing Biden to step aside as “unequivocally” false.
Biden’s campaign countered criticism with a new ad portraying Trump as a “lap dog” of Putin. Amidst concerns over Biden’s leadership, NATO allies are seeking reassurance against the backdrop of a possible Trump return, which could challenge the alliance.
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