President Joe Biden's press conference was an improvement from his debate performance, but it fell short of being a stellar display. Democrats are concerned that they are back to square one after his speech on Thursday evening. Biden's address included a strong defense of his achievements and a thorough explanation of his foreign policy, but it also contained some notable mistakes, such as confusing the names of his vice president and his opponent. This has left Democrats unsure of what to make of the press conference, especially as the party is still reeling from the fallout of last month's debate, which raised questions about Biden's candidacy in the next election.
.jpg "On July 11, 2024, President Joe Biden conducts a press briefing at the 75th anniversary summit of NATO in Washington. Nathan Howard/Reuters") |
| On July 11, 2024, President Joe Biden conducts a press briefing at the 75th anniversary summit of NATO in Washington. Nathan Howard/Reuters |
One former House Democratic aide expressed that the recent development is not a complete failure, but it also doesn't necessarily indicate that the individual can effectively campaign and secure a victory. The issues from before the press conference still persist, and it hasn't made a significant impact on the polls or debates. As for members of Congress or donors, they may not feel particularly motivated or inspired by this outcome. Another individual added that this situation represents the worst-case scenario, as it fails to alter the current situation or achieve the intended goal. The sentiment of being stuck in a state of uncertainty or purgatory still lingers. Biden began his press conference by highlighting the success of the recent NATO summit under his leadership, emphasizing the growth and strength of the alliance while addressing criticisms from former President Donald Trump. When questioned by a reporter about the conference's success, he confidently defended its achievements.
Other instances, however, raised concerns.
By the conclusion of the summit, Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" -- alluding to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who invaded Ukraine. Furthermore, at the start of the question-and-answer session, he mistakenly addressed Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump," a comment that swiftly circulated on social media and left Democrats feeling embarrassed.
"This turned out to be even more disastrous than I anticipated," remarked one Democratic pollster. "It was all downhill after he said, 'Vice President Trump.'"
The individual continued, "I doubt he can handle what's to come."
While there wasn't an immediate surge in demands for Biden to step down, he did face a setback in the form of Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who issued a statement right after the press conference concluded -- highlighting that certain Democrats had already reached a decision prior to the start of the press conference.
1. Himes stated that it has been the highlight of his career to collaborate with Biden on accomplishments that have solidified his extraordinary legacy in American history, such as health care reform, infrastructure funding, and gun safety measures. He also commended Biden's "unconditional patriotism."
Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., also released statements around the same time urging Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign.
Collectively, the press conference seems unlikely to sway the Democratic political class, which has not yet witnessed enough to either rally for Biden's removal or fully support him.
"There were no catastrophic errors. His economic vision was evident. However, we are still in a wait-and-see mode because nothing else has changed," stated veteran Democratic National Committee member James Zogby.
Since the disastrous debate, Biden's campaign has been working vigorously to alter that dynamic.