President Biden on Friday refused to agree to an independent neurological assessment and suggested that the only thing that could persuade him to lose to former President Donald Trump was if “God Almighty” came down and told him.
In Mr. Biden’s first interview since the debate, ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos gave the president several opportunities to answer whether he would agree to an independent cognitive or neurological examination, out of concern after his poor debate performance. However, the president said he has cognitive tests “every day,” and that the tests “run the world.”
“Look, I have a cognitive test every day,” Mr. Biden said, insisting the task test is sufficient for a neurological exam. “Every day, I have that test. Everything I do. You know, not only do I campaign, but I walk the world.”
The president reiterated that he believes he will work for the next four years. Stephanopoulos asked the president if he was being honest with himself about his abilities.
“Well, I, because of George, the last thing I want is to not be able to meet,” Mr. Biden said.
Stephanopoulos asked the president if he would step down if he could be sure he wouldn’t beat Trump, because the president said he didn’t believe that. poll which indicates Trump will win.
“It depends – if God Almighty comes down and tells me that, I can do it,” he laughed, and later that “God Almighty will not come down.”
The President affirmed him his poor debate performance it was just a “bad episode” he “felt bad,” and said he didn’t think he had watched the debate on the screen himself.
“It was a bad episode,” he said. “No indication of a serious situation. I was tired, didn’t listen to my instincts about preparation, and had a bad night.”
Stephanopoulos said the president returned from a rigorous trip to Europe a week and a half before the debate, and spent six days at Camp David resting and preparing. So why are they still doing so well?
“Because I’m sick, I feel bad,” Mr. Biden said. “…I just have a really bad cold.”
Stephanopoulos asked Mr. Biden if he had gone back and watched his performance, a performance that sent the Democratic Party flying. into crisis mode.
“I don’t think so, no,” he replied.
An ABC News anchor pointed out that the president appeared to be struggling since the debate began.
“Well, I just had dinner,” Mr. Biden said, repeating a line often used by his defenders and press secretary in the past week.
Stephanopoulos asked the president when he realized he was having a bad night. The president said he knew he was having a bad night when Trump yelled or spoke loudly and his microphone was turned off. The president said he allowed Trump to bully him.
“I just realized I couldn’t control it,” Mr. Biden said.
In the debate, which was watched by more than 50 million Americans, Mr. Biden struggled not only to refute former President Trump. arguments, lies and misstatements, but also has trouble with the answer about the policy of the administration itself, speaking softly, rambling and losing the train of thought. He moves stiffly and looks more fragile than his opponent.
“It’s nobody’s fault but mine,” Mr. Biden said of his struggles.
The president has struggling to make a case if he can still do the job, because Democrats have publicly and privately expressed concern about whether he should remain the Democratic presidential nominee. As concerns in the party grew, he met with the Democratic governor at the White House on Wednesday, after the president did not make a personal approach to top Democrats over the weekend following a poor debate performance.
So far, two Democratic House members have called for him to drop out of the race. Mr. Biden made the challenge during a campaign rally in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday afternoon, speaking to elected Democrats and the donor class as much as to Wisconsin voters.
“I’m a candidate for the Democratic Party,” he said. “…You chose me as your nominee – no one else. You, the voters, did it. tried to push me out of the race, I’ll make it clear: I’m staying in the race.
Asked after the speech whether he was considering releasing or eliminating the possibility, Mr. Biden replied, “Totally manage it.”
Any decision to leave the race must be voluntary. Democratic Party leaders are unable to push Mr. Biden because he has already won the delegates needed to clinch the nomination.
Vice President Kamala Harris stood in front of the president.
“Look, Joe Biden is our nominee,” he said in an exclusive interview with CBS News earlier this week. “We beat Trump once, and we’ll beat him again, period.”
