President Joe Biden delivered a passionate speech at the White House on Thursday, reading from a teleprompter. This comes as he faces scrutiny over his stamina and mental acuity following a poor debate performance.
Concerns After Debate Performance
Biden, 81, struggled in a June 27 debate against Republican rival Donald Trump, raising questions about his ability to maintain a grueling work schedule. Some Democrats are considering asking him to step aside.
Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the top contender to replace Biden if he decides not to run in the upcoming November election. Biden’s supporters believe he can still reassure voters and donors about his capabilities.
During the July 4 festivities at the White House, Biden, dressed in a suit without a necktie, greeted the audience with a strong “Happy Independence Day!” He delivered brief remarks without major errors and mingled with military families, taking selfies before returning to the White House.
Biden is scheduled to give an interview to ABC News on Friday, which will be aired at 8 p.m. ET. He will also travel to Wisconsin for a campaign rally the same day.
Democrats’ Concerns
House Democrats are watching closely and may ask Biden to step aside if his performance in the ABC interview is poor. They believe retaining control of the House is crucial, especially if Trump wins the presidency and Republicans take the Senate.
Even if Biden performs well, concerns about his viability as a candidate are likely to persist. If he shows signs of confusion or difficulty speaking, pressure to drop out may increase.
ALSO READ: “Joe Biden Considering Exit from 2024 Presidential Race After Debate: Report”
Health and Medical Examinations
The White House attributed Biden’s poor debate performance to a cold and jet lag. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said he had not been examined by a doctor since his annual physical in February. However, spokesperson Andrew Bates later stated that Biden saw a doctor a few days after the debate and was recovering well.
Trump, 78, falsely claimed that he had driven Biden out of the race and made disparaging comments about Harris. Biden, in a radio interview, acknowledged his poor debate performance but emphasized his achievements as president.
Biden’s approval ratings dipped after the debate. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 59% of Democrats believe Biden is too old for government work. Despite this, some Democratic governors expressed continued support for Biden after a meeting at the White House.
Biden and his wife Jill will speak at the National Education Association in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Next week, Biden will host world leaders at the NATO summit in Washington and hold a solo news conference.
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