7:51: So far … there are some embarrassing
verbal flubs (“Vice President Trump’ is
going to haunt him) and a couple of
momentary space-outs … he looks like he’s
struggling a bit … but he’s been mostly fine.
😂😂It’s difficult to say, really, what the
standard is now. 😂 I suspect viewers will
have rather different opinions on this.
8:03: Biden asked if he could deal with
Putin and Xi Jinping in three years from
now. Biden basically dodges this and focuses
on the present moment. “I’m dealing with Xi
right now. …Then later flubs a bit when
listing NATO allies (“I already mentioned
Australia…”)
8:08: There’s some discussion of Israel war
that I don’t want to shortchange by
abbreviating here. But the reporter’s second
part of the question is Biden being asked
about his pre-election declaration about
being a “bridge” president to a new
generation of leadership: What happened to
that plan? (The one that everybody kinda liked). …😂
8:15: Basically: Are you sure you want to
stay in? 😁 “I’m determined on running but I
think it’s important I ally fears by seeing me
out there. …”
8:18: At this point, Biden is starting to slip
more. Some of his answers are getting
mangled and he seems frustrated.
8:19: Pressed about taking a neurological
exam. “I’ve taken three significant and
intense neurological exams by a
neurorogussurgeonologist.” Yikes. “And
they say I’m in good shape.” Do they,
really? 😂 Can we hear from them,
please? 😂 “But I do have a problem with
my left foot because I broke my foot and I
didn’t heal right because I didn’t wear the
boot I’m tested every single day by my
neurological capacity, the decisions I make
every day …” He then starts meandering
about Japan. “The only thing age does is
creates some wisdom if you pay attention. If
my neurologist tells me if he thinks I need
another exam. And by the way, I’ve laid
every bit on the record out. Go ask Trump
for his. I’ve laid it all out. Every single day
I’m surrounded by good docs. If they think
there’s a problem, I promise you — even if
they don’t think there’s a problem, they think
I should have a neurological exam again, I’ll
do it. No one is suggesting that to me now.
I’ll ask you another question, no matter what
I did, no one is going to be satisfied. Did you
have seven docs? Two? … I’m not opposed
if my doctors tell me I should have another
neurological exam.”
8:23: Are his delegates free to vote their
conscience at the convention? “They’re free
to do whatever they want, but I have
overwhelming support. If tomorrow I show
up at the convention and everybody wants
somebody else, that’s the democratic
process.” [Weird whisper] “It’s not gonna
happen … 😂 how accurate do you think the
polls are these days? … All the polling data,
which I think is premature because the
campaign hasn’t really started. It hasn’t
started in earnest yet … a lot can happen. I
think, I know, I believe I’m the best qualified
to govern and the best qualified to win.
Others could beat Trump too. But it’s hard to
start from scratch.”
8:25: Last question: “You earlier explained
your confidence in your vice president. If
your team came back and showed you data
that she would fare better against former
President Donald Trump, would you
reconsider your decision to stay in the race?”
Biden says: “No, not unless they came back
and said, ‘There’s no way you can win.’ Me”
Biden drops into that weird whisper 😂
again: “No one’s saying that. No poll says
that.”
8:26: Biden’s team tries to end the press
conference. The president is lured back for
one more question as a reporter points out he
called Harris “Vice President Trump”
earlier and that Trump is already using
that to mock his age. [“Great job, Joe”]
How do you combat that criticism?” Biden,
somewhat inexplicably, replies, “Listen to
him.”
There’s a lot of yelling of questions as Biden
leaves the stage.
Pulitzer Prize for James Hibberd, Pulitzer Prize.
