In a recent prime-time interview with ABC News, US President Joe Biden stated on Friday, July 5th, that he is in good shape to run for re-election and believes he is the most qualified Democratic candidate to defeat former President Trump. This was Biden’s first television interview since last week’s presidential debate.
“My condition is not bad,” Biden told ABC News journalist George Stephanopoulos. “I don’t think anyone is more qualified than me to be president or to win this election.”
When asked if he has enough mental and physical stamina to serve another four years as president, he replied, “If I didn’t think I had the mental and physical stamina, I wouldn’t run.”
On June 27th, Biden and his Republican opponent engaged in a 90-minute first presidential debate at the CNN Atlanta studio.
After the debate, some Democratic lawmakers, media, and scholars called for Biden to drop out of the race.
During the ABC interview, Biden addressed criticisms of his debate performance, stating it was just “a bad moment” and not a sign of serious illness.
Biden mentioned that he had a bad cold at the time, feeling exhausted and not following his instincts. He referred to it as a “bad night.”
Responding to reports that Senator Mark Warner tried to gather a group of senators to persuade him to withdraw from the race, Biden stated that he had a different perspective but is not concerned about opposition.
“Mark and I may have a different view. I respect him,” Biden said.
ABC stated that the interview lasted 22 minutes and was not edited or cut in any way.
With only four months left until the US election, the 81-year-old Biden visited the crucial swing state of Wisconsin. At a campaign rally in Madison, Biden reiterated his stance, assuring his supporters that he won’t abandon the Democratic nomination.
“I am the nominee of the Democratic Party. I am the nominee of this party because millions of Democrats, like you, have just voted for me in primaries across the country,” he said.
“However, some people seem not to care who you voted for. Guess what? They are trying to get me to drop out. Well, let me be as clear as possible, I will continue to run,” Biden remarked.
During the campaign rally, Biden acknowledged the various speculations that arose after the debate and stated that he does not agree with those suggesting he should drop out of the race.
“I will not let a 90-minute debate overshadow my three and a half years of effort,” he said.
During a meeting on Wednesday night, President Biden addressed 24 Democratic governors, assuring them that he will continue to run. The White House stated that prior to this, Biden also met with congressional leaders including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
After the White House meeting, several governors expressed their support for the president, some attending the meeting in person while others participated online.
Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz told reporters at the White House, “Governors support him.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, often referred to by the media as potential successors to Biden, also posted their support for Biden on social media.
When asked about the meeting, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Friday, “I think it’s important that they stepped up.”
Jean-Pierre told reporters en route to Wisconsin on Air Force One that governors had an honest conversation and expressed their full support.
Regarding the ABC interview, Jean-Pierre said, “The president prepared for this interview like any other. He has done over 40 interviews this year. He also did two radio interviews yesterday.”
This article was originally published on The Epoch Times in Chinese on July 6, 2024.