"I rule the world" Biden wants to dispel doubts with an interview, but it goes wrong

dpa

6.7.2024 - 06:53

Joe Biden claims that only God could persuade him to withdraw from the US presidential race. But the pressure on the 81-year-old incumbent is an earthly one.

DPA

06.07.2024, 06:53

08.07.2024, 15:12

US President Joe Biden has dismissed any doubts about his suitability as a presidential candidate in a much-publicized television interview and has reacted to increasing criticism with a lack of understanding.

"I don't think anyone is more qualified to be president or to win this race than I am," he said in the 20-minute interview with ABC News. Only God could move him to withdraw, he said. Meanwhile, other Democratic MPs opposed another candidacy by the incumbent.

With the interview, the oldest US president in history (81 years old) was actually trying to limit the damage. According to initial assessments by experts, however, the interview has not helped to dispel doubts about him within his party.

Biden's performance did not come across as if he understood the seriousness of the situation. Instead, he questioned the credibility of polls, according to which he has continued to lose support in recent days. "I don't buy that," he said. His advisors would tell him otherwise.

Biden resists cognitive ability test

A week ago, Biden made a disastrous appearance in the first televised duel with his Republican challenger Donald Trump before the election in November, misspoke several times and lost the plot.

After the performance, a debate erupted in the US about whether Biden is the right Democratic presidential candidate to successfully keep Trump out of the White House. Biden refused a medical test of his mental fitness, even after several questions from journalist George Stephanopoulos.

"I take a cognitive test every day. (...) You know, I don't just campaign, I run the world," Biden emphasized. That may sound exaggerated, but the USA is, after all, the most important nation. Stephanopoulos had previously asked Biden whether he would be willing to undergo an independent medical examination, including neurological and cognitive tests - and whether he would have the results published.

"Only the Almighty" can persuade Biden to withdraw

Trump had undergone such a test during his time in office. He had been confronted with doubts about his mental sanity due to his erratic political style. At the time, the Republican decided to have his mental capacity checked - and took a test that is used for the early detection of suspected dementia and Alzheimer's disease, among other things.

According to his doctor,Trump passed with 30 out of 30 points. Biden's advanced age and his mental state are the election issue par excellence in the USA. The president had to put up with various questions about this in the interview, which was not at all about political content. Stephanopoulos did not deviate from the topic, while Biden tried to focus on the successes of his time in office.

According to ABC, the interview was broadcast unedited. Biden did not have any major lapses or slip-ups, but sometimes struggled for words. Stephanopoulos also asked Biden what could motivate him to drop out of the race. Biden pointed to God and replied, "If the Almighty comes and says, 'Joe, get out of the race,' then I'll get out of the race. But the Almighty won't come," said the devout Catholic.

Democrat warns of "total disaster"

Biden refused to elaborate on what would happen if confidants warned him that his behavior would also have a negative impact on the majorities in the US Congress. "I'm not going to answer that question. That's not going to happen," Biden replied. Everyone would tell him to stay in the race.

In addition to the presidency, many seats in parliament will also be up for grabs in the election in November. There is growing fear among Democrats that the Republicans could take control of both the White House and Congress in the future.

Shortly before the interview was broadcast, another Democratic MP openly called on Biden to withdraw. Only if Biden dropped out of the race could a "total disaster" be avoided, warned Mike Quigley. According to reports, Senator Mark Warner is trying to rally a group of Democrats behind him to convince Biden to drop out of the race.

"I'm staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump"

When 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 candidacy. He is also relying on numerous campaign events. At an event in the US state of Wisconsin, he said: "I'm staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump."

Tomorrow, Sunday, he plans to campaign in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, official business is also demanding his attention, especially as the NATO summit is taking place in the US capital Washington next week.

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Biden has actually already secured the presidential candidacy for his party - he will officially be chosen at the Democratic Party convention, which will take place in Chicago from August 19 to 22.

The US President has collected the necessary delegate votes in the primaries. He had no significant competition in the primary campaign. If he were to voluntarily throw in the towel or be forced to resign, the Democrats would have to quickly agree on a replacement as the election approaches.