In a pivotal press conference critical for his presidential campaign, Joe Biden vigorously defended his foreign policy record despite facing numerous questions about his mental fitness.
In an unfortunate slip, he mistakenly referred to Kamala Harris as “vice-president Trump.”
Biden discussed various foreign policy challenges, including the competition with China and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
He mentioned cautioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against occupying the Gaza Strip and shared that he had directly communicated with Xi Jinping to discourage support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
However, he noted, “I have no reason to speak to him right now,” referring to Vladimir Putin.
Biden, aiming to remain president until January 2029, also addressed concerns about his mental fitness, which have been prominent since a shaky debate against Donald Trump that he labeled “that dumb mistake.”
Despite his supporters likely viewing the press conference as proof of his capability, it may not convince skeptics of his ability to serve another term.
At 81, Biden remained resolute about continuing his campaign, despite some within his party urging him to step aside for another candidate, potentially Harris, in the November election.
Following his speech, Connecticut congressman Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, called for Biden to withdraw from the campaign.
Concluding a summit of the 32-member bloc in Washington, DC, Biden stated, “I’ve not had any of my European allies come up and say, ‘Joe, don’t run’.
What I’ve heard them say is, ‘You’ve got to win’.”
He added, “If I slow down and can’t get the job done that’s a sign I shouldn’t be doing this. But there’s no indication of that. None.”
Biden affirmed he wouldn’t leave the race unless polls showed he had no chance of defeating Trump, even if they indicated Harris had a better chance.
He endorsed Harris’s qualifications for the presidency, despite the slip in naming her.
“I wouldn’t have picked vice-president Trump to be vice-president, if she’s not qualified to be president,” he said.
This gaffe was compounded by his earlier mistake of introducing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “President Putin,” which he corrected, stating, “we’re going to beat Putin.”
Initially, Biden used the final NATO summit press conference to highlight his national security achievements, emphasizing the importance of the November vote beyond politics, calling it “a national security issue.”
He also discussed his economic record, border security, and efforts to mediate peace in the Israel-Hamas conflict to strengthen his campaign.
Speaking for 58 minutes, with 50 minutes of unscripted Q&A, Biden appeared most assured when discussing complex foreign policy issues.
He recounted advising Netanyahu, “Don’t make the same mistake America made after [Osama] Bin Laden.
There’s no need to occupy anywhere.
Go after the people who did the job.”
He also suggested that European countries might reduce investments in China if Xi continued supporting Russia.
However, he occasionally struggled with his responses.
When asked about moving up his schedule, he said, “I’m not talking about, and if you’ve looked at my schedule since I, since I made that stupid mistake in the campaign, in the debate.
I mean, my schedule has been full bore.”
He concluded with a jab at Trump, asking, “Where’s Trump been? Riding around on his golf cart?
Filling out his scorecard before he hits the ball?”
