2024-07-11 16:23:08
US President Joe Biden faces a real challenge and test of his abilities during the press conference he will hold on Thursday evening at the conclusion of the NATO summit, during which he will confront calls for him to step down from his position as the party’s presumptive candidate, after his confused performance in the presidential debate at the end of last month.
This conference is Biden’s first press conference in front of the American and international media since his debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre described this press conference as “the eldest son” of President Biden.
Biden, 81, concludes the NATO summit in Washington with this rare, solo press conference.
Political observers are looking to the conference to gauge Biden’s success in answering journalists’ questions, at a time when demands are increasing for him to withdraw from the re-election battle from within his Democratic Party and from major donors to his campaign.
Biden has held 36 press conferences since taking office, including 14 solo and 22 with foreign leaders. Biden is among the presidents who have held fewer press conferences than Trump (88), former President Barack Obama (163), and former President George W. Bush (210).
For two weeks, Biden, his campaign and White House officials have argued that the debate was just a bad night and should be moved on, offering plenty of justifications for Biden’s confused performance.
Many Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to withdraw from the past, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Reps. Adam Schiff and Jamie Raskin. Vermont Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to publicly call on Biden to withdraw. In addition, actor George Clooney, whose call for Biden to withdraw had the greatest and most painful impact. Clooney’s relationships with Democratic Party officials and major donors run deep, so his views carry more weight than those of any other celebrity.
Biden has defied calls to drop out of the race, insisting he is best placed to defeat Trump and win the November presidential election. Democrats fear that Biden’s determination to continue running despite his declining physical and mental capabilities could jeopardize the democracy he says he is trying to save.
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2024-07-11 16:23:08