WASHINGTON, July 6: US President Joe Biden has said he will stay in the 2024
presidential race 'to the end' despite mounting pressure from Democrats to step
aside following what has been generally described as a disappointing debate
with presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on June 27 that
showed his apparent failing physical and cognitive abilities due to old age.
He is 81. (Trump is 78).
In his latest reaction on Friday, in a forceful speech in Madison, Wisconsin,
he insisted, "I am running and gonna win again." He asserted that he only can
to prevent Trump from returning to White House in the November 5 election. Only
the "Lord Almighty" could convince him otherwise.
Earlier in an interview with ABC News also (released on Friday during the Madison
campaign), Biden blamed a severe cold on the day of the debate. "I was sick,
I was feeling terrible... We were trying to figure out what's wrong. They did
a test to see whether or not I had some infection, you know, a virus. I didn't.
I just had a really bad cold,” he explained. About undertaking an independent
neurological examination, he said, “I get a full neurological test every day.
I’ve had a full physical."
He said the voters should consider his accomplishments in office. “Who’s going
to be in a position where I’m able to keep the Pacific Basin in a position where,
at least we’re checkmating China now? Who’s going to do that? Who has that reach?”
However, in a concerning interview with Philadelphia World Radio on Thursday
(see video) Biden apparently confused himseflf to say: "I am proud to be the
first (woman) Vice-President, first Black woman, served with a Black President."
His latest flub in the bizarre radio interview proves his cognitive decline,
observers said. Given the controls of the nuclear button, as the President his
condition is a security risk, it was pointed out.
This was the only instance after the debate he repeated what appeared to be
a cognitive impairment. At all campaign speeches since the debate he has been
forceful and logical.
The Friday after the debate Biden delivered a fierce campaign speech in North
Carolina. He said, "I don't walk as easy as I used to, I don't speak as smoothly
as I used to, I don't debate as well as I used to, but I know how to tell the
truth." He said he would not be running if he did not believe he could do it.
The repalcement proposals
Soon after the Trump debate debacle, anxious Democrats worried that the party
would lose if matters move at this rate, began proposing suitable candidates
as repalcement for Biden who could defeat Trump.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois
Governor JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Governor
Andy Beshear were all seen as possible replacements to Biden. But most of them
are Biden supporters and campaigners.
Thereafter Biden called a meeting of his campaign staff and several Democratic
lawmakers and Governors at the White House on Wednesday, and vowed to continue
in the race rejecting calls to drop out. He met virtually and in person with
24 Democratic Governors and the Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Among them, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and New
York Governor Kathy Hochul were categoric of their support to Biden and vowed
to stand with him. Tim Walz, who is also chair of the Democratic Governors Association,
said Biden is fit for office.
Biden's family members told him to stay in the race for a second term in office.
They have blamed his staff who prepared him for the face-off with Trump. The
Sunday following the debate Biden spent at Camp David, the presidential retreat
in Maryland, and discussed the issue with his family. First lady Jill Biden,
his children and grandchildren were at the retreat. It is said he listens to
Jill Biden and his son Hunter on such matters.
A CBS News poll conducted two days after the debate showed three-quarters wanted
him to step down.
Leading Democrats and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton support
Biden to stay course. So also other prominent members like James Clyburn, Raphael
Warnock.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama was asked by many to stand in but she has
umpteen times denied saying "politics" is not in her "soul". Even Republicans
like US Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Trump himself are on record speculating
Michelle will replace Biden.
Former President Barack Obama, meanwhile, said, "bad debate nights happen"
but in the end it is a choice between "someone who has fought for ordinary folks
his entire life and someone who only cares about himself."
There are problems of replacing a presumptive nominee after all the primaries
and just before the party convention and election day.
Why it has to be Kamala Harris
The surge in widespread anti-Biden calls immediately following the debate has
over the week ebbed and suddenly a pro-Kamala Harris wave has taken over in
the fast moving politics. Last week her name did not appear among those which
were floated.
Democratic donor Reid Hoffman told Reuters his team would "enthusiastically
support a ticket led by our tough and savvy Vice- President if Biden were to
step aside for any reason." So also Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn, who
was instrumental in Biden's 2020 win.
The first woman, the first Black and the first South Asian to serve as Vice-President,
Kamala Harris, the ex-prosecutor, will be a formdable challenge for Trump who
has suddenly begun a malicious campaign against her online, anticipating she
will step into Biden's shoes anytime and pull support from women, minorities
and the youth. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quietly warned
on Friday that Trump's aspersions are "gross" and "disturbing".
Although she has no right as VP to be named a candidate as it is a party matter,
logically if Biden steps aside as a candidate on health ground he has to step
down as President as well because the Constitution says he cannot continue if
health is failing, especially mental faculty, and then Harris automatically
becomes the acting President. And the party will find it difficult to stop her
and nominate someone else.
At this juncture a doubt arises if Biden has been privately working towards
putting his "favourite child" in the saddle and go?
At the end of it all what will stand is what Nikki Haley said on X, "Mark my
words... Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. Republicans, get your guard
up!"
CAMP DAVID: Camp David is the US President’s country residence. Located
in Catoctin Mountain Park in Frederick County, Maryland, Camp David has offered
every President since Franklin D Roosevelt, who established the residence, a
retreat, an ideal place to work and host foreign leaders. President Eisenhower
renamed it after his grandson David. It is modelled after the winter vacation
home in Warm Springs, Georgia.