(Image source from: x.com/WhiteHouse)
During a NATO summit, the US President, the esteemed Joe Biden, mistakenly addressed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky as his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. This blunder came just hours before a critical press conference that coul the fate of Biden's reelection bid. The 81-year-old quickly rectified his mistake, and Zelen quipped that he was "better" than Putin, but this gaffe further fueled concerns about Biden's mental sharpness, especially after his underwhelming debate performance against Donald Trump two weeks prior. As Biden announced a NATO-Ukraine compact at the summit in Washington, he said, "And now I want to hand it over to the president of, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin." Realizing his error, Biden promptly returned to the lectern, exciming, "President Putin! He's going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky -- I'm so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway, Mr President." The room reacted with gasps, but Zelensky, Ukraine's resolute wartime leader against Russia's 2022 invasion, responded lightheartedly. Fellow summit attendees have addressed questions about Biden, offering largely supportive comments.
(Video Source: WSJ News)
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed confidence in President Biden's abilities, stating, "you will find enough," after a recent verbal misstep. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also praised Biden, describing him as "in charge" and "in good form." However, this latest slip-up could not have come at a worse time, as Biden is set to hold a highly anticipated "big boy" press later that day, his first major public appearance since the debate. This solo, unscripted with reporters, is occurring amidst growing calls within his own Democratic Party for him to step aside from the 2024 presidential race. The press conference, originally scheduled for 6:30 pm (2230 GMT), is expected to start about an hour late. A steady drumbeat of Democrats, including Hollywood actor and party supporter George Clooney, as well as party veteran Nancy Pelosi, have urged Biden to abandon his 2024 candidacy, with around 14 Democratic House members and one Democratic senator openly voicing the same sentiment.
According to a recent poll, more than half of Democrats believe President Biden should not run for a second term, and two-thirds of Americans think should withdraw from the race. However, the poll shows Biden and the former president in a tight race, both receiving 46 percent support. Meanwhile, Biden's campaign has been quietly assessing the potential of Vice President Kamala Harris to challenge the former president. Some of Biden's long-time aides have also discussed ways to convince him to step aside, but the White House has denied these reports. In recent times, Biden has held fewer news conferences, mostly with foreign leaders and limited to two questions each, leading critics to suggest the White House is trying to shield the effects of his age. Biden has acknowledged his debate performance as a "bad night," attributing it to a cold and jet lag.
Biden made it crystal clear at a June 15 fundraiser in Los Angeles that he is determined to run the upcoming November election. Despite speculations, the Democratic party primary votes have solidified his position, leaving no viable way to remove him from the race. In response, his campaign launched a new ad blitz on the final day of the NATO summit, depicting Trump as a "lap dog" for Russian President Putin. Amidst developments, NATO allies have expressed concerns about Biden's leadership capabilities, fearing that a potential return of the isolationist, Putin-admiring Trump could pose a significant threat to the alliance.
