Biden's highly-anticipated TV interview fails to quell re-election doubts: Observers

United States President Joe Biden’s televised interview with ABC News on Friday (Jul 5) was not enough to tamp down concerns over his age and mental fitness to lead for another four years, said political watchers. 

The 81-year-old was seeking a campaign reset with the interview, after a shaky performance in a Jun 27 debate left many calling for him to end his reelection bid. During the 90-minute debate against Republican Donald Trump, 78, Biden struggled to express himself clearly, stumbled over words, and occasionally lost his train of thought.

But his highly-anticipated TV interview on Friday did little to quell growing calls for him to step aside, observers told CNA. 

Even before the debate, many Americans were sceptical about Biden's ability to perform his duties as president if he were to be given another four years, said Steven Webster, associate professor of political science at Indiana University.  

“I think the sort of effect of that debate was to solidify many of those fears,” he told CNA’s Asia First on Saturday. 

ONLY 'LORD ALMIGHTY' COULD MAKE BIDEN QUIT RACE

In the ABC interview, Biden vowed to fight on, saying he would only drop out of the White House race “if the Lord Almighty came down” and told him to. 

“I don't think a 20-minute interview with ABC is going to be sufficient to assuage fears that many voters have about Joe Biden,” Webster said. 

“Now, he's also given some campaign rallies, trying to be out in public, and really sort of project stamina and energy. The reality is that it's going to take quite a bit.”

Biden was back out on the campaign trail on Sunday, taking the stage at a predominantly Black church in Philadelphia and later travelling to the Pennsylvania state capital, Harrisburg, for an event with union members. Black voters are a critical part of Biden's base of support.

“Even these attempts that the president has been engaged in so far, he's made a few of his somewhat classic Joe Biden gaffes - (like) saying that he was going to beat Donald Trump in 2020, when of course he means 2024,” said Webster. 

“Any small mistake like this that Joe Biden makes is going to create a sort of large imprint in voters' minds.”

Jared Mondschein, director of research at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre, said Biden’s lacklustre debate showing was not a matter of conveying key policy ideas but of executing the duties of the office of the presidency.

“There are calls for Biden to step down because there is ever-growing and unprecedented doubt that he can carry out his duties as president,” he told CNA’s Asia Now on Monday.

“That's why we are seeing now only growing calls for him to be more upfront about his mental state, as well as to potentially step down.”

COULD REPLACING BIDEN AT THIS LATE STAGE BACKFIRE?

Some Democratic politicians have called for Biden to step aside for a fitter candidate, but many are going to wait and see what the next polling data suggests on what Americans are thinking, said experts. 

“I think the uncertainty about what would happen if Joe Biden were to step aside and be replaced by another candidate is part of the reason that you see this inherent tension and awkwardness playing out in the Democratic Party,” said Webster. 

“The fact that no one of really any significance in the Democratic Party, like the Democratic Party leader in the House Hakeem Jeffries, has come out to pressure Biden suggests that democratic politicians aren't really sure how to proceed here. 

“This is a very delicate thing, trying to get your party's leader to step aside for somebody else.”

IS THIS KAMALA HARRIS' MOMENT TO SHINE?

On whether US Vice President Kamala Harris is prepared to step in if Biden decides to bow out, Webster said it is unclear. 

“Kamala Harris did not do particularly well in the 2020 Democratic Primary, and so her detractors point to that as perhaps one reason why she shouldn't be the party's nominee if Joe Biden steps aside,” he added. 

“On the other hand, she's the most logical choice. She was chosen as Joe Biden's vice president, and so people know she's a part of the ticket.”

Observers believe it would be easier for her to step in and assume the role as the party's presidential nominee should Biden step aside.

“One of those advantages is that she would have access to many of the campaign funds that the Biden campaign has already raised,” said Webster. 

“So this would give her a significant advantage over any potential rival. I think logistically, she's the most likely person to replace Joe Biden should such a scenario emerge.”

BIDEN'S DEBATE DISASTER AN ADVANTAGE FOR TRUMP?

Meanwhile, Trump has taunted Biden on social media and urged him to stay in the race despite mounting calls for him to step aside. 

Analysts told CNA that Trump has a likely easier path to victory if Biden sticks around. 

“Donald Trump is not particularly liked by many voters. And so anytime he's not in the news, but rather his opponent is in the news, this is a win for him,” Webster said.

“Right now, what the media is discussing is Joe Biden's fitness for office, rather than what Donald Trump did when he was in office or what he proposes to do should he regain control of the White House.”

However, age continues to be an issue, given that Trump is only three years younger than Biden.

“I think many American voters are concerned about the age of our elected officials,” said Webster, adding that most Americans would prefer younger candidates in leadership positions. 

“I think both parties are likely to draw that lesson from the 2024 election. But I think right now the most likely scenario is that we still have Donald Trump and Joe Biden.”