President Biden’s Defiant Stance
Days after President Biden emphasized that only the “Lord Almighty” could force him out of the race, he revealed a more down-to-earth scenario during his highly anticipated news conference on Thursday night. In a dramatic whisper, he stated that his advisers would need to convince him of certain defeat to make him consider stepping aside.
Despite hinting at the possibility of an alternative path, Mr. Biden swiftly dismissed the idea. He acknowledged that others could defeat Trump, but he believed it would be too challenging to “start from scratch.”
The president’s press briefing, his first since the pivotal debate that shook his campaign, was delivered competently, if not compellingly. However, it remained uncertain whether this performance could halt the Democratic support erosion that has put his candidacy at risk. Shortly after the conference, Democratic lawmakers continued to call for his withdrawal.
“I believe I’m the best qualified to govern,” Mr. Biden asserted, drawing on his history of overcoming challenges. “And I think I’m the best qualified to win.”
The high-stakes, mostly unscripted hour-long event was Mr. Biden’s most extensive appearance since the debate that derailed his campaign. Speculation about persuading him to exit the race circulated among his circle, with his campaign even conducting a survey to assess Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential in a hypothetical matchup that Mr. Biden adamantly denies will occur.
