In his first televised interview since his heavily criticized debate performance, President Joe Biden declined to commit to taking a cognitive or neurological test. The president argued that his daily presidential responsibilities serve as a sufficient test of his cognitive abilities.
During the 22-minute interview with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Biden acknowledged his debate stumbles and attributed them to illness, stating, “Nobody’s fault but mine. It’s a bad episode. No indication of any serious condition. I was exhausted.” When asked if he had watched the debate, Biden replied, “I don’t think I did, no.”
The interview comes at a critical juncture in the 2024 election cycle, with some Democrats urging Biden to drop out of the race. Concerns over Biden’s cognitive abilities have spread to his financial backers, with notable figures such as Abigail Disney withholding donations unless he withdraws.
Biden dismissed Stephanopoulos’ assessment of his trailing poll numbers, asserting, “I don’t buy that.” He referenced past predictions of a red wave in the 2022 midterms that did not materialize, though he misstated the year. Biden emphasized that Democratic leaders have advised him to stay in the race, stating, “Look, I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I’ll get out of the race. The Lord Almighty’s not coming down.”
The refusal to take a cognitive test has raised concerns among some Democrats. A House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the interview as “completely out of touch with reality.” Another House Democrat commented, “This seems like it has an inevitability to it,” while another simply stated, “We’re doomed.”
Rep. Mike Quigley, along with Reps. Raúl Grijalva and Lloyd Doggett, has called for Biden to step aside. Biden’s closest allies, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have urged him to hold more events and speak unscripted to demonstrate his capability for a second term.
The upcoming week of public appearances is considered critical for Biden, with no major shift in strategy planned but additional interviews and appearances expected. The president is aware that his performance in these events could solidify public opinion about his candidacy.
Biden reiterated his commitment to staying in the race during a campaign rally in Wisconsin, declaring, “Let me say it as clear as I can: I’m staying in the race. I’ll beat Donald Trump.” The president’s campaign defended his recent remarks about limiting evening events to get more sleep, citing the need for a balanced schedule similar to past presidents.
The debate performance, which Biden attributed to feeling terrible and being sick, has led to increased scrutiny of his capabilities. The president’s voice was raspy during the debate, and he mentioned a lengthy overseas trip prior to the event, although he had returned nearly two weeks earlier.
As the campaign progresses, Biden’s ability to maintain a rigorous schedule and demonstrate his fitness for office will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike. The coming days will be crucial in shaping the narrative of his re-election bid.
Stay tuned for further updates as the 2024 presidential race continues to evolve.
1 comment
Of course he refused the test, he is incoherent at this point.