In a defiant declaration, President Joe Biden insisted that he will run for another term and win, despite a series of verbal gaffes that have heightened scrutiny over his fitness for office.
At 81, Biden sought to project authority as he led a NATO summit in Washington, just two weeks after a shaky debate performance stoked fears among Democrats about his viability against former President Donald Trump.
During the summit, Biden mistakenly introduced Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian adversary Vladimir Putin before quickly correcting himself. The incident was followed by another slip at an evening news conference where he referred to Trump as “Vice President.”
Undeterred, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to the race. “I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again,” he said, referencing his previous victory over Trump.
Already the oldest person ever elected to the White House, Biden emphasized that his campaign is not about personal legacy but completing his agenda. “I am not in this for my legacy,” he stated. “I am in this to complete the job I started.”
Biden faces growing calls from within his party to step aside for the 2024 election, with many Democrats fearing Trump could regain the presidency. Despite this, Biden expressed unwavering support for Vice President Kamala Harris, who some see as a more viable candidate.
“I would not have picked Kamala Harris if she was not qualified to be president,” Biden said, after mistakenly referring to her as Trump earlier in the evening.
He also dismissed reports suggesting he needed to adhere to an early bedtime. “Instead of my every day starting at 7:00 am and going to bed at midnight, it would be smarter for me to pace myself a little more,” Biden noted, underscoring his ability to handle the demands of the presidency.
As Biden forges ahead with his campaign, the recent stumbles underscore the challenges he faces in convincing both his party and the electorate of his readiness for another term.
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