Despite hopes that a taped interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos would turn around the sinking ship, Democrats continue to call for President Joe Biden to step aside.
Biden referred to his disastrous debate performance as a “bad episode” as he rolled out his wagon of excuses in his first interview since the event.
The 81-year-old insisted during a pivotal interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos that it was exhaustion that led to the epic failure of a debate against former President Donald Trump and that he had been suffering from “a really bad cold.” But many congressional Democrats are not buying it.
“The president is rightfully proud of his record,” Former Obama adviser David Axelrod posted on X, after the interview. “But he is dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his [capacities] moving forward and his standing in this race. Four years ago, at this time, he was 10 points ahead of Trump. Today, he is six points behind.”
The president is rightfully proud of his record.
But he is dangerously out-of-touch with the concerns people have about his capacitiies moving forward and his standing in this race.
Four years ago at this time, he was 10 points ahead of Trump.
Today, he is six points behind.— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 6, 2024
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., called on the resident to do a live interview as well as a sit-down with Stephanopoulos.
“I look forward to seeing President Biden’s taped interview with George Stephanopoulos,” he posted on X. “It’s important that the President also have an extended LIVE interview as soon as possible.”
As the interview clips began to hit the airwaves, Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., joined the chorus of Democratic members of Congress callingl on Biden to step aside.
“To prevent utter catastrophe,” he said on MSNBC, “step down and let someone else do this.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett told CNN that “the need for him to step aside is more urgent tonight than when I first called for it on Tuesday.”
The Texas Democrat, who was the first in his party to call for Biden to leave the race, added that the president “does not want his legacy to be that he’s the one who turned over our country to a tyrant.”
“I don’t think he moved the needle at all,” said former Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio.
“I don’t think he energized anybody,” Ryan said on MSNBC. “I think there was a level of him being out of touch with reality on the ground.”
“I’m worried,” he added. “I’m worried, like, I think a lot of people are, that he is just not the person to be able to get this done for us.”
The president was defiant in the face of questions about stepping aside, telling Stephanopoulos, “I don’t think anybody’s more qualified to be president or win this race than me.”
Before the sit-down, Biden told a crowd in Madison, Wisconsin that he would be victorious in his race against Trump. But his declaration may not have been convincing as he declared, “Well, let me say this as clear as I can – I’m staying in the race…’I’ll beat Donald Trump. I’ll beat him again in 2020.”
“By the way, we’re going to do it again in 2024,” he added.
He admitted his debate performance was not the “best” but held his ground on staying in the race.
“Now you probably heard we had a little debate last week,” Biden said. “Can’t say it was my best performance.”
“But ever since then there’s been a lot of speculation – what’s Joe going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? What’s he going to do?” the president continued. “Well, here’s my answer – I am running and going to win again.”
Despite the blistering criticism of the debate and cratering poll numbers, the Biden campaign went full steam ahead with the launch of a $50 million media blitz targeting battleground states. The team announced an “aggressive, targeted campaign” and that Biden would participate in an “aggressive travel schedule” in the weeks ahead.
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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