President Joe Biden made a defiant stand in at an event in Wisconsin last week amid growing concerns about his age and fitness for office.
The 81-year-old president, facing calls from some Democrats to step aside following a lackluster debate performance, vowed to stay in the race and defeat his presumptive Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, according to ABC News.
Addressing a crowd of supporters at Sherman Middle School in Wisconsin, Biden acknowledged his poor debate performance but insisted he was “staying in the race.” He emphasized his record of accomplishments, including job creation, student debt relief, and the appointment of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court.
The rally was part of a series of appearances and interviews aimed at restoring confidence in Biden’s candidacy. Later that day, he sat down for a prime-time interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, where he called his debate performance a “bad episode” and said there were “no indications of any serious condition.”
Despite the private angst among some Democratic lawmakers, donors, and strategists, most in the party have held their fire, waiting to see if Biden can restore confidence with his weekend travel schedule and his handling of the Stephanopoulos interview, which will not appear live.
The Madison rally drew a mix of supporters, with some expressing confidence in Biden’s mental and physical fitness for the job, while others were less sure but emphasized the importance of defeating Trump. There were also a few signs of discontent, with one supporter waving a sign that read “Pass the torch Joe” as the president walked onto the stage.
Inside Sherman school, Biden sought to address head-on the criticism that he has grown too old and unsteady for the job. He asked his supporters a series of questions, such as whether they thought he was too old to restore Roe v. Wade, ban assault weapons, or protect Social Security, to which the crowd shouted back “No.”
The rally and interview marked a critical moment for Biden’s reelection campaign, which is pushing ahead with aggressive plans despite the uncertainty. The president and his campaign are focusing on battleground states and high-viewership moments like the Summer Olympics to reach voters.
