Biden Holds Press Conference During Summit
Hello everyone! Today, all eyes are on President Joe Biden as he prepares to take the stage for a highly anticipated press conference at the conclusion of the three-day NATO summit. Scheduled to start in just two hours, this event is seen as a pivotal moment for Biden, especially in light of the immense pressure following his recent debate performance with Donald Trump in Atlanta.
The stakes are incredibly high for the president. Reports have surfaced that some of his strongest political allies are harboring doubts about his continued candidacy. This press conference, already a significant event, now carries even more weight as it could influence the opinions of key Democratic lawmakers and the public.
He started off rough and he’s still having rough patches…but this is good enough to keep him in the race. Which is terrible news for Democrats and excellent news for Trump.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 12, 2024
In addition to the usual cable coverage, the three major broadcast networks are planning special reports to air the press conference live. However, there's a growing sentiment that no matter how well Biden performs, it may not be enough to dispel the doubts about his political viability. His recent dip in poll numbers and faltering fundraising efforts have only added to the scrutiny.
If Biden stumbles during the press conference, it could provide the rationale needed for several Democrats who have publicly reserved judgment to call for him to step aside. At least six House Democrats are reportedly prepared to urge Biden to decline the nomination if the press conference does not go well.
After the Biden presser, @davidaxelrod tells @kaitlancollins that "I don't think this changed much... I think a lot of attitudes have been hardened."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 12, 2024
One former senior administration official, speaking anonymously, described the situation as a "lose-lose" for Biden, suggesting that no performance could fully alleviate the concerns. Despite this, Biden’s allies believe that a strong showing could help stem the tide of dissent and reassure those questioning his stamina and ability to lead.
While some lawmakers have voiced their concerns publicly, including Reps. Hillary Scholten, Greg Stanton, Ed Case, Brad Schneider, and Ritchie Torres, Biden’s supporters hope that his performance tonight will demonstrate his resilience and commitment to his role. Torres, in particular, has been vocal about the broader challenges Biden faces, suggesting that the issues run deeper than just one bad night at a debate.
Inside the White House, discussions have centered around what constitutes a "big boy" press conference, a term that has raised eyebrows and sparked debate about its appropriateness. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has used the phrase to describe tonight's event, leading to questions about its format and length.
Probably worst case scenario for Dems: Did well enough to invigorate Blue MAGA and bad enough for viral clips of "Vice President Trump" and "Putin" to circulate amongst normie voters all weekend
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) July 12, 2024
In conversations with the White House Correspondents Association, officials indicated that Biden would take around four questions. However, there is hope that he might be able to address 6-7 questions, depending on follow-ups and the length of his answers. Senior adviser Anita Dunn has been working to finalize the list of reporters Biden will call on, with the expectation that the press conference will last around 30 minutes.
A second former administration official, also speaking anonymously, expressed frustration with those who might use tonight’s performance as a final judgment on Biden’s candidacy. They argued that anyone calling for him to step down based on this press conference alone should have voiced their concerns earlier.