'I made a mistake,' Biden says on debate errors; vows election victory

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Jul 2024 23:51

The 81-year-old argued that the debate had only showcased 90 minutes of his persona, urging Americans not to overlook his alleged accomplishments over the past 3.5 years.

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President Joe Biden speaks during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 3, 2024 (AP)

In an interview with the Earl Ingram Show which aired on Thursday, US President Joe Biden acknowledged that he made mistakes during last week's debate with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, marking the inaugural debate of the 2024 election cycle.

"I had a bad night. And the fact of the matter is that I screwed up. I made a mistake," Biden said.

The 81-year-old argued that the debate had only showcased 90 minutes of his persona, urging Americans not to overlook his alleged accomplishments over the past 3.5 years. He further vowed to secure victory in the forthcoming presidential election.

Biden engaged in a debate with Trump at a CNN-hosted event in Atlanta on June 27. His performance reignited discussions within the Democratic Party about potentially replacing him as their presidential nominee.

As the oldest president in US history, Biden has been subject to speculation regarding his physical condition and cognitive abilities.

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that dozens of Democratic congressmen are contemplating writing a letter urging Biden to withdraw from the upcoming presidential race.

According to a senior party official cited in the report, Democratic lawmakers running for reelection in traditionally Democratic districts are circulating the letter.

These candidates are concerned that Biden’s continued candidacy could jeopardize their chances, potentially leading to a Republican sweep in Washington.

Despite growing calls for change, support for Biden remains mixed within the party. Leaders like Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have publicly affirmed their backing for the president, while some members of the Congressional Black Caucus argue for maintaining unity around Biden.

Some reports have indicated that governors like Tim Walz of Minnesota, Wes Moore of Maryland, Gavin Newsom of California, and Kathy Hochul of New York, are working to persuade the Democrats and the public that Biden is capable of leading the country.

Axios on Wednesday said that Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a favored replacement candidate among some members.