The long-awaited press conference by President Joe Biden, his first in months with questions, took place on Thursday night amidst high expectations for the president to demonstrate improved communication skills following a shaky debate performance. Originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET, the event was pushed back multiple times before finally starting after 7 p.m.
During the conference, President Biden addressed questions about his qualifications and intentions for running for re-election in 2024. He made it clear that he has no plans to drop out of the race and believes he is the most qualified candidate to win against former President Donald Trump.
However, this statement comes as more prominent allies have called for him to step aside, such as Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, multiple House Democrats, and influential donor George Clooney. Despite these calls, President Biden remains steadfast in his decision to continue running for president.
The press conference also saw the president make a gaffe by mistakenly referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.” Additionally, he was asked about concerns regarding Harris’ ability to beat Trump in the election. In response, President Biden emphasized his confidence in her qualifications for the role of president.
In light of these recent events, Cook Political Report has updated its electoral map predictions for the 2024 presidential election, shifting five significant swing states and Nebraska’s swing district in favor of former President Donald Trump. The report suggests that Trump now has a clear advantage over Biden and a more plausible path to securing the required 270 electoral votes for victory.
This shift is supported by a recent CBS News/YouGov poll, which shows that an overwhelming majority of voters (72%) believe that President Biden should not run for a second term. Among Democrats, this number increases to 46%, up 10 points from February. The primary concerns cited by respondents include his age, decision-making, record as president, campaigning effectiveness, and perceived cognitive health.
Despite the mounting pressure and concerns, President Biden remains determined to continue his campaign for re-election in 2024, with no intention of stepping aside for another candidate.
