Presidential election: Biden admits mistakes: TV interview as a test of strength
Joe Biden is battling rival Donald Trump on all fronts after his television debacle to save his campaign. “I had a bad night. And the fact is, I made a mistake,” the 81-year-old Democrat said in a radio interview.
He learned from his father that one must always stand up, the Democrat added. Ninety minutes on a television stage is nothing compared to what he has accomplished in the past three and a half years.
Biden is currently trying to appease his critics within the party. The biggest test could be a planned television interview.
The television interview as a crucible
Biden will give an interview to the American broadcaster ABC on Friday, which will be broadcast in prime time (2:00 a.m. German time, Saturday morning).
Interviewer George Stephanopoulos is a regular on the network. In the 1990s, he worked for then-Democratic President Bill Clinton. Biden rarely gives television interviews. The fact that he now feels compelled to do so shows how serious the situation is. Biden’s appearance could significantly influence whether his party’s critics fall silent or gain strength.
Biden is hoping to secure a second term in the US elections in November and prevent Trump from returning to the White House. After his disastrous performance in the debate in front of a million viewers, the 81-year-old candidate must allow himself to be asked whether he is still the right candidate or whether he should be replaced by a younger alternative.
Instability in the Democratic Party
There is unrest in the Democratic Party, initially only behind the scenes. Over time, critics also spoke out publicly. Biden held crisis talks and spoke with party leaders. He also met with more than 20 Democratic governors at the White House and via internet and telephone to drum up support.
Biden’s health in the spotlight
Biden told US media he had undergone a medical check-up after the TV disaster and was feeling fine. However, his press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had sounded different just hours earlier. “He hasn’t seen the doctor. It’s just a cold, people. It’s just a cold,” she said.
Biden spoke harshly during the debate and appeared hoarse. Afterward, he said he had a cold. He tried to explain his disastrous performance, during which he frequently lost track and contradicted himself, as stress from the long trips abroad before the debate.
Biden spent Independence Day, traditionally celebrated in the United States on July 4, with his family at the White House. In the afternoon (at 2:00 a.m. German time on Friday morning), Biden will deliver his traditional speech on the occasion of the holiday.
Once again, all eyes are likely to be on the 81-year-old. In such speeches, Biden typically does not take questions and reads his speech from the teleprompter, reducing the chance of verbal gaffes.
Trump remains discreet
Biden continues to focus on attacks against his political opponent, Trump, 78, in his campaign. “We cannot and must not let this guy win,” Biden warned in an interview with a local radio station in the US state of Wisconsin.
Trump has been noticeably quiet in recent days. This could be part of a strategy, as the entire country is currently debating whether Biden is fit for the presidency. Republicans are reportedly hoping that Biden stays in the race, as they believe it increases his chances of winning the election in November.
In recent weeks, Trump and Biden have been neck and neck in the polls. Trump has always held a lead of one or two percentage points, despite his scandals and his conviction in a criminal trial in New York.
According to the latest polls, Trump has significantly expanded his lead in public opinion since the televised debate. This is increasing anxiety among Democrats and apparently also a willingness to consider another candidate. The focus is increasingly on Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris.
Biden secured his candidacy at the Democratic convention
Democrats officially nominated their presidential candidate during a party convention in Chicago in August. Biden has already gathered the necessary delegate votes, which has secured his candidacy. He had no serious competition and was considered a sure-fire candidate from the start.
Therefore, only Biden himself can decide to withdraw. Observers believe that the Democrat, if he really does drop out of the race, will not show signs of weakness until the last moment, as this would be disastrous for the polls.
- The planned television interview with George Stephanopoulos of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) will be an important test for the Biden campaign.
- George Stephanopoulos, known for his work with former US President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, will host the prime-time interview.
- Biden’s appearance on ABC could determine whether critics within the Democratic Party will soften their stance or gain more momentum.
- Biden is seeking to challenge Donald Trump’s bid for a second term in the US presidential election in November, securing his return to the White House.
- The televised debacle in front of a million viewers raised questions about Biden’s ability to lead, making him more vulnerable to scrutiny and criticism.
- The unrest within the Democratic Party has put pressure on Biden to demonstrate his strength and ability to secure another term in the White House.
- Democratic Party critics are focusing on Biden’s health and performance, urging a younger alternative to lead the party in #USElection2024.
- The television interview will be a key event in this critical period in which Biden seeks to prove his worth and reassure the Democratic Party and the American people.
- With the US election just around the corner, attention is now focused on the two leaders, Biden and Trump, who are facing off on the political stage, striving to win more supporters and influence undecided voters.
