In a series of verbal slips during the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in Washington DC, US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” and later called US Vice-President Kamala Harris “Vice-President Trump.”
“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice-President Trump to be vice-president if she is not qualified to be president,” Biden said during a separate event at the summit, without correcting himself afterward.
These gaffes have intensified concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden’s suitability to remain the party’s presidential candidate.
Some House Democrats have publicly expressed their reservations, fearing a potential negative impact on down-ballot races.
Biden’s mental alertness and age have been under scrutiny, especially following his lackluster debate performance against Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.
LEADERSHIP recalls that on June 28, during the debate, Biden stumbled, slurred his responses, and struggled with his talking points.
He later attributed his performance to a cold and jet lag.
There are also reports that an expert on Parkinson’s disease has visited the White House in the past year, adding to the speculation about Biden’s health.
Presidency officials, however, have denied any neurological issues, dismissing such claims as unfounded.
LEADERSHIP also reports that Democratic fundraiser and Hollywood actor George Clooney has joined the chorus of voices urging Biden to step down.
In an opinion piece in the New York Times, Clooney wrote, “This is about age. Nothing more. We are not going to win in November with this president.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also commented on the matter, stating that time was “running short” for Biden to make a decision about his candidacy.
Despite the mounting pressure, Biden remains resolute in his decision to stay in the race. Addressing White House correspondents on Thursday, he asserted, “If I slow down and can’t get the job done, that’s a sign I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet.”
Biden, 81, maintains that he is in the best mental and physical condition to continue his campaign and defeat Trump in the upcoming election.
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