“This was in many ways the worst-case scenario for Democrats,” remarked one Democrat.
President Joe Biden’s much-anticipated press conference may have been an improvement over his debate performance, but it was far from a masterclass. Democrats are left feeling uncertain, worried that despite Thursday night’s address, they remain in the same position they were before he spoke.
Biden’s speech included a robust defense of his record and an elaborate explanation of his foreign policy. However, it also featured significant blunders, such as confusing the names of his vice president and his opponent. This has left Democrats with mixed feelings, especially following last month’s debate which led to intense discussions about possibly replacing him on the 2024 ballot due to his rambling responses.
“This isn’t a home run. It’s not a disaster, but it also doesn’t prove he can successfully 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 inspired by this, so the issues he had before the presser remain,” commented one former House Democratic aide.
“This is the worst-case scenario — it doesn’t change the dynamics, and that was the goal,” the person continued. “We’re still stuck in purgatory.”
Biden started his press conference by applauding this week’s NATO summit, asserting that the alliance has become “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 retorted to a reporter during the question-and-answer segment.
President Joe Biden held a press conference during NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington on July 11, 2024. Nathan Howard/Reuters
He engaged with journalists on issues like Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, demonstrating his understanding of complex topics. He also dismissed questions about his mental fitness and defended his candidacy, stating, “We’ve got to finish this job because there’s so much at stake.”
Democratic strategist Karen Finney believes the appearance should alleviate concerns. “He answered tough questions, provided detailed and substantive answers, and was frank about concerns,” she said.
“I think he convinced a lot of people he should stay in the race,” Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., commented on CNN Thursday night, days after telling reporters Democrats were not united over the president’s chances this November.
President Joe Biden held a press conference during NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington on July 11, 2024. Jacquelyn Martin/AP
However, some moments were alarming. Near the end of the summit, Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin,” and during the Q&A, he called Vice President Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.” These errors quickly spread across social media, causing discomfort among Democrats.
“This was even worse than I thought it would be,” said one Democratic pollster. “It was over the moment he said, ‘Vice President Trump.’”
He added, “I don’t think he can withstand what is coming.”
While there wasn’t a surge of new calls for Biden to drop out, he did face a significant setback when Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, released a statement immediately after the press conference, suggesting that some Democrats had already made up their minds before the event began.
“It has been the honor of my career to work with him on the achievements that have secured his remarkable legacy in American history,” Himes said in the statement, referencing health care reform, infrastructure funding, and gun safety measures. He praised Biden’s “unconditional patriotism” and suggested the president step away from the campaign.
Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., also issued similar statements calling for Biden to drop out.
Overall, the press conference seems unlikely to sway a Democratic political class that remains divided about Biden—neither orchestrating a push for his ouster nor fully rallying behind him.
“There were no disastrous mistakes. His economic vision was clear. But we’ll still be in a wait-and-see situation because nothing else has changed,” commented veteran Democratic National Committee member James Zogby.
Biden’s campaign has been trying hard to shift this narrative since the poor debate performance.
President Joe Biden waves as he leaves after speaking during a press conference at the close of the 75th NATO Summit in Washington on July 11, 2024. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
A consensus emerged that a more assertive approach was needed, involving more travel and unscripted moments to ease concerns about Biden’s age and electability.
The campaign dispatched him to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and scheduled interviews with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and NBC News’ Lester Holt. Biden also sent a strongly worded letter to House Democrats expressing his intention to stay in the race. However, Democrats remain unsettled.
“It’s the George interview all over again,” one Democratic strategist said of the press conference, referring to the Stephanopoulos interview, which was seen as just sufficient for Biden to hang on but not enough to quell the storm around him.
Discussions are expected to continue among Democrats on Capitol Hill regarding their support for Biden, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., highlighting “candid, cleareyed and comprehensive” conversations. He noted that he would “respect the sanctity of those conversations until we conclude that process.”
That conclusion, however, remains elusive.
“This was in many ways the worst-case scenario for Democrats,” one battleground Democratic strategist told ABC News. “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 past his prime to win.”