“This was in many ways the worst-case scenario for Democrats,” one Democrat remarked.
President Joe Biden’s highly anticipated press conference went smoother than his debate but fell short of being a masterstroke. Democrats are worried they are right where they started before he spoke on Thursday night.
Biden’s remarks included a strong defense of his record and a detailed explanation of his foreign policy but were marred by notable errors, such as mixing up the names of his vice president and his rival. As a result, Democrats remain uncertain, still grappling with the aftermath of last month’s debate, where Biden’s rambling responses triggered discussions about replacing him on the 2024 ballot.
“This isn’t a home run. It’s not a disaster, but it also doesn’t prove he can campaign and win. This doesn’t erase the debate, and it doesn’t move the polls. If I’m a member of Congress or a donor, I’m not walking away from this inspired, so the issues he had before the presser remain,” commented a former House Democratic aide.
“This is the worst-case scenario — it doesn’t change the dynamic, and that’s what the goal was,” the person added. “We’re still stuck in purgatory.”
Biden began the press conference by praising this week’s NATO summit, highlighting that the alliance is “not only stronger” but also “bigger” under his leadership, while taking a jab at former President Donald Trump’s skepticism of NATO.
“Have you seen a more successful conference?” he challenged one reporter during the event’s question-and-answer period.
At the NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington on July 11, 2024, Biden engaged with journalists on various topics such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Defenders praised his understanding of complex issues. He also addressed questions about his mental fitness and defended his decision to remain in the race, saying, “We’ve got to finish this job because there’s so much at stake.”
“It absolutely should,” Democratic strategist Karen Finney said when asked whether the appearance would allay concerns. “Answered the tough questions, gave detailed substantive answers, and was frank about the concerns that have been raised.”
“I think he convinced a lot of people he should stay in the race,” Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said on CNN Thursday night, days after expressing doubts about Democrats’ unity over the president’s chances this November.
Despite some reassuring moments, other instances caused alarm.
Near the summit’s end, Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin,” referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier, during the question-and-answer session, he mistakenly called Vice President Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump,” leading to widespread social media reactions and causing Democrats to cringe.
“This was even worse than I thought it would be,” one Democratic pollster remarked. “It was over the moment he said, ‘Vice President Trump.’”
The person added, “I don’t think he can withstand what is coming.”
Although the press conference did not trigger a wave of new demands for Biden to drop out, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, released a statement immediately after the press conference, indicating that some Democrats had already decided before it began.
“It has been the honor of my career to work with him on achievements that secure his remarkable legacy in American history,” Himes said in a statement, referencing health care reform, infrastructure funding, and gun safety measures, and praising Biden’s “unconditional patriotism.”
“It is for these reasons and in consideration of that legacy that I hope President Biden will step away from the presidential campaign.”
Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., also issued similarly timed statements urging Biden to withdraw.
The press conference seemed unlikely to shift the stance of the Democratic political class, which has yet to fully rally behind Biden or openly push for his ouster.
“There were no disastrous mistakes. His economic vision was clear. But we’ll still be in a wait and see because nothing else has changed,” commented veteran Democratic National Committee member James Zogby.
Biden’s campaign has been working hard to change that dynamic since the disastrous debate.
A consensus emerged that a more assertive approach was necessary — more travel and unscripted moments would be needed to address concerns over Biden’s age and electability.
The campaign sent him to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and arranged interviews with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and, in the coming days, NBC News’ Lester Holt. The president sent House Democrats a strongly worded letter on Tuesday declaring his intention to remain in the race. But Democrats are still uncertain. “It’s the George interview all over again,” one Democratic strategist said of the press conference, referring to the Stephanopoulos interview viewed as adequate but not enough to quell the storm around Biden.
Conversations among Democrats on Capitol Hill about how closely to support Biden are expected to continue. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., mentioned “candid, clear-eyed, and comprehensive” discussions among lawmakers, saying he would “respect the sanctity of those conversations until we conclude that process.”
However, the end of that process appears nowhere in sight.
“This was in many ways the worst-case scenario for Democrats,” one battleground Democratic strategist told ABC News on Thursday. “The president and his team will see this as a huge success, while everyone else will see this as just another example that he’s just too past his prime to win.”