Joe Biden holds forth for 50 minutes at NATO summit. Can he hang on?

By mzaxazm


Joe Biden lived to fight another day. 

But in performing adequately at a press conference Thursday night, with some notable gaffes, the president only prolonged the profoundly consequential debate over whether he should be the Democratic Party’s nominee in November. Several House Democrats immediately issued statements calling on him to drop out of the race, bringing the number of defections to 18, while key backers such as Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina reiterated their staunch support. 

Why We Wrote This

Heading into the Republican nominating convention next week, the Democratic Party is still roiled over whether to rally behind the president or quickly find a replacement. Thursday’s press conference didn’t settle the matter.

After Mr. Biden beat low expectations Thursday, at least one Republican strategist aligned with Mr. Trump agreed that the president didn’t disqualify himself. The Florida-based Trump ally assessed Mr. Biden’s press conference in a text to the Monitor: “Passable for another couple of days.” 

While his first full press conference since November 2023 may have kept some critics at bay, donors are withholding some $90 million from a super political action committee devoted to the reelection campaign if Mr. Biden stays in the race, according to The New York Times.

Joe Biden lived to fight another day. 

But in performing adequately at a press conference last night, with some notable gaffes, the president only prolonged the profoundly consequential debate over whether he should be the Democratic Party’s nominee in November.

President Biden is fighting for his political life, amid serious concerns about mental acuity and his ability to defeat former President Donald Trump. Less than four months before Election Day, the clock is ticking. 

Why We Wrote This

Heading into the Republican nominating convention next week, the Democratic Party is still roiled over whether to rally behind the president or quickly find a replacement. Thursday’s press conference didn’t settle the matter.

Mr. Biden’s core supporters expressed confidence in his performance, in which he spoke knowledgeably, if haltingly, about foreign policy after hosting a summit of NATO leaders in Washington. 

“I’m all in,” said Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina on the “Today” show Friday. Representative Clyburn, who was key to Mr. Biden’s 2020 victory, recently raised eyebrows by suggesting a “mini primary” in the event that Mr. Biden dropped out of the race.

“Trump world” is watching closely, too. The view among the former president’s team is that they’d prefer to run against Mr. Biden, but they’re also prepping for the possibility that Vice President Kamala Harris becomes the nominee.



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