‘I don’t think anybody’s more qualified to be president or win this race than me,’ the president said.
President Joe Biden said on Friday that he is “in good shape” to run for reelection and believes he is the most qualified Democrat candidate to defeat his rival, former President Donald Trump. The president made these remarks in his first television interview following last week’s presidential debate.
“Can I run the 110 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape,” President Biden said during an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in Wisconsin.
“I don’t think anybody’s more qualified to be president or win this race than me,” he said.
When questioned whether he had the mental and physical ability to handle another four years in office, he said, “I wouldn’t be running if I did not think I did.”
On June 27, President Biden and his Republican rival faced off for 90 minutes in their first 2024 presidential debate at CNN’s Atlanta studio.
Following the debate, some Democrat lawmakers, media outlets, and pundits have been calling on President Biden to withdraw from the election.
The incumbent responded to criticisms of his debate performance during the ABC interview, describing it as “a bad episode” rather than a sign of a serious condition.
President Biden said that he “had a really bad cold.”
“I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts,” he said, “It was a bad night.”
During the interview, when questioned about reported efforts by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va) to gather a group of senators to try to persuade him to drop out of the race, the president stated that he had different views but was not concerned about the opposition.
“Mark and I have a different perspective. I respect him,” he said.
ABC stated that it recorded the 22-minute interview with no cuts or edits.
With the general election just four months away, President Biden visited the critical battleground state of Wisconsin. During a campaign rally in Madison, the 81-year-old echoed a similar sentiment, assuring his supporters that he’s not stepping aside as the Democrats’ nominee.
“I’m a nominee for the Democratic Party. I am a nominee for this party because millions of Democrats like you just voted for me in primaries all across America,” he said.
“Despite that, some folks don’t seem to care who you voted for. Well, guess what? They’re trying to push me out of the race. Well, let me say this as clearly as I can, I’m staying in the race.”
During his campaign rally in Wisconsin, the president acknowledged the speculation that has arisen since the debate, expressing his disapproval of those suggesting he should drop out of the race.
“I’m not letting one 90-minute debate wipe out three and a half years of work,” the president said.
Biden Gathers Support
During a meeting on Wednesday evening, President Biden addressed 24 Democrat governors, reassuring them of his commitment to stay in the race. Before that, he also spoke with Congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), according to the White House.
Several governors spoke out in support of the president after the meeting at the White House, which some attended in person and others online.
“The governors have his back,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, told reporters at the White House. Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who are frequently mentioned in media reports as potential successors to President Biden, also expressed their support for the president in posts on X.
When asked about the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on July 5, “I think it’s important that they showed up.”
The governors engaged in an honest conversation and showed their full support, Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to Wisconsin.
“The president is preparing for this interview like he does with any other interview,” Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters regarding the ABC interview. “He’s done more than 40 interviews this year already. He did two radio interviews yesterday.”
