In the aftermath of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Donald Trump was officially nominated days after an assassination attempt, Joe Biden still faced lingering questions about his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in November.
“1,000%,” the president affirmed in an interview with Complex’s Chris “Speedy” Morman, aired on Monday.
When asked if he would remain the party’s standard-bearer, Biden responded, “Unless I get hit by a train, yeah.”
This interview occurred before a would-be assassin shot at Trump during a rally in western Pennsylvania on Saturday, injuring his ear and killing a spectator.
For about 36 hours following the incident, the presidential campaign was paused as Biden returned to the White House to lead a nation shaken by this violent act, part of a growing wave of political violence.
Biden condemned the attack as “sick” and called Trump to check on him, expressing that he and the first lady were praying for his recovery.
On Sunday, Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office, urging Americans to “lower the temperature” in a heartfelt speech.
This moment showcased Biden’s strengths as a compassionate leader, similar to his approach four years ago when he aimed to bridge political divides.
However, as Biden resumed his campaign on Monday, he continued to face doubts and weaknesses that have plagued his re-election campaign.
“I’m old,” Biden admitted in an interview with NBC News’s Lester Holt on Monday.
“But I’m only three years older than Trump, number one.
And number two, my mental acuity has been pretty damn good.
I’ve gotten more done than any president has in a long, long time in three and a half years.
I’m willing to be judged on that.”
Despite the temporary reprieve from calls for him to step aside, Democrats remained uncertain about Biden’s viability as a nominee.
Since his poor debate performance against Trump last month, Biden insisted he was ready to continue campaigning, citing numerous events and a press conference at the NATO summit where he discussed foreign policy.
Nevertheless, Biden’s verbal missteps and stumbles are closely watched and magnified as signs of potential decline.
Yet, Biden remains resolute.
When asked about the possibility of another poor performance, he asserted it wouldn’t happen again.
And when questioned about who influences his decision to stay in the race, Biden replied, “Me.”
The interview aired as prominent Republicans took the stage in Milwaukee, exuding confidence and determination to win in November.
The attempt on Trump’s life and his rallying cry to “Fight!” seemed to have unified and energized the Republican base.
Trump also announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate and celebrated the dismissal of the classified documents case against him.
Trump’s first public appearance since the attack drew significant applause as he arrived at the convention hall with a bandage on his ear.
He was greeted with patriotic fervor, accompanied by Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Polls indicate a close race, with Biden acknowledging it as “essentially a toss-up” in his interview.
Voters trust Trump more on the economy and immigration, while Biden holds an advantage on reproductive rights.
His campaign plans to highlight Vance’s support for abortion bans.
When asked about the assassination attempt’s impact on the race, Biden told Holt,
“I don’t know.
And you don’t know either.”
Biden departed for Nevada, a crucial battleground state, to mobilize Black and Latino voters, essential to his coalition.
He planned to speak at the NAACP national convention and the UnidosUS Annual Conference, along with interviews on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Univision radio.
Biden also faced criticism from Palestinian and Arab Americans who blame his support for Israel for the prolonged Gaza conflict, resulting in over 37,000 deaths.
In his Detroit interview with Morman, Biden claimed to have done more for the Palestinian community than any other president by increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Reassembling the diverse coalition that elected him in 2020 involves reminding Americans why they ousted Trump.
“I’m not the guy that said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’
I’m not the guy who refused to accept the outcome of the election,” Biden told Holt, remaining firm on his stance against Trump as a threat to democracy.
Biden emphasizes that the election presents two vastly different visions for America’s future.
However, many Democrats remain unsure if he is the best candidate to convey that contrast.
In his interview with Morman, Biden tried to underscore his bipartisan accomplishments and, when asked what Trump might succeed at in a second term, said, “I’m not being facetious.
I can’t think of a single thing.”
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