In a highly anticipated ABC interview, President Joe Biden firmly rejected calls for an independent medical evaluation that would demonstrate his fitness to serve another term in office.
Facing growing concerns within his own party about his capacity to lead, the 81-year-old Democrat insisted that he undergoes regular cognitive assessments and remains in good health, despite his shaky debate performance against former President Donald Trump.
As Biden fights to salvage his endangered reelection bid, the interview was seen as a crucial test of his ability to convince voters that he is up for the rigors of the presidency.
Read: Biden’s Debate Woes: A Disaster That Sent Democrats Into Panic Mode
With influential Democratic figures quietly discussing potential alternatives and some lawmakers even urging him to exit the race, the stakes could not be higher for the embattled incumbent.
In the ABC interview, President Biden firmly rebuffed suggestions that he should undergo an independent medical assessment to reassure the public about his cognitive abilities. “Look, I have a cognitive test every single day,” he told interviewer George Stephanopoulos, arguing that the demands of his daily duties serve as a rigorous evaluation of his mental acuity.
Biden emphasized that his personal physicians conduct ongoing assessments and are forthright in informing him of any issues.
“Everything I do, I’m tested,” he insisted, dismissing concerns about his fitness and frailty. The president maintained that he remains “in good shape” and is capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of the office for another four-year term.
Biden’s rocky debate performance against Donald Trump last week had ignited widespread concern about his capacity to effectively campaign and govern. The president acknowledged that he had failed to adequately prepare for the high-stakes event, describing it as a “bad episode.”
However, he maintained that there were “no indications of any serious condition” that would call his fitness into question.
The debate debacle has fueled internal frustrations within the Democratic party, with some lawmakers and strategists quietly discussing the possibility of Biden exiting the race.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a prominent party figure, has reportedly reached out to fellow senators to explore options for encouraging the president to step aside.
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Biden’s defenders have pushed back forcefully against any suggestion that he should abandon his reelection bid. Rep. Frederica Wilson, an influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus, admonished any “leaders” considering a letter urging the president to quit, calling it an attempt to “undermine this incredible actual leader who has delivered real results for our country.”
The president’s campaign has also doubled down on its efforts, announcing a $50 million ad blitz and scheduling a flurry of events in battleground states.
Biden, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, are set to criss-cross the country in a bid to restore confidence in the administration’s leadership.
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