President Joe Biden faced criticism and doubts about his fitness for reelection during a highly anticipated TV interview. In the interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Biden rejected the idea of taking an independent medical evaluation, insisting that he faces a cognitive test every single day through the tasks he performs as president. However, his comments did little to assuage concerns about his age and ability to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Following the interview, Democratic lawmaker Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota joined several others in suggesting that Biden should not run for reelection. She cited his lackluster debate performance and his failure to respond forcefully afterward as reasons for him to step aside. As a key suburban win for Democrats in the 2018 midterms, Craig’s opinion could be indicative of the sentiment in districts crucial for Biden in 2020.
The interview left Biden in a standoff with a significant faction of his own party, just months before the election and weeks before the Democratic National Convention. While this drawn-out spectacle may limit the party’s options for replacing Biden and benefit his efforts to remain in the race, it could also distract from framing the election as a referendum on Trump.
During the interview, Biden asserted that he is not more frail than earlier in his presidency and undergoes ongoing assessment by his personal doctors. He acknowledged that he may not have listened to his instincts in terms of debate preparation and admitted that Trump’s disruptions had flustered him. However, some observers noted that Biden rambled during the interview, raising further questions about his mental acuity.
When asked how he plans to turn the race around, Biden emphasized the importance of large and energetic rallies like the one he held in Wisconsin. However, when reminded that Trump consistently draws larger crowds, Biden resorted to attacking his opponent, calling him a pathological liar and criticizing his handling of the COVID pandemic and job creation.
Despite internal party frustrations and discussions about potential replacements if Biden drops out, the majority of Democrats have refrained from publicly criticizing him. They are waiting to see if he can restore confidence through his weekend campaign events and handling of the interview. Top Biden campaign officials have been urging lawmakers to withhold public comments and give the president a chance to respond.
Nevertheless, there are indications that some Democrats are concerned about Biden’s capacity to run for reelection. Sen. Mark Warner has reached out to fellow senators to discuss the possibility of asking Biden to exit the race. While there is no consensus on a plan of action yet, some Democratic senators could meet soon to discuss the way forward.
At least five House Democrats have called for Biden to step down as the nominee, while others, like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, have urged him to carefully evaluate whether he remains the best hope to defeat Donald Trump. Biden himself, however, remains adamant about staying in the race, ruling out the possibility of halting his campaign.
Biden’s family has rallied around him in recent days, with Hunter Biden taking on a larger role in advising his father. This has caused discomfort among some White House staffers, particularly in light of Hunter’s recent conviction on felony gun charges.
In an effort to address concerns about his energy levels, Biden acknowledged the need for more sleep and limiting evening events during a gathering with Democratic governors. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden works around the clock but also recognizes the importance of taking care of himself.
While Biden’s interview and campaign events may have provided some reassurance to supporters, doubts and criticism linger within his party. The coming months leading up to the election will be crucial in determining whether Biden can overcome these challenges and secure another term in office.
