One thing Thursday night’s press conference did not settle is whether Biden will continue to be the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.
That remains uncertain.
He didn’t have a disastrous night like during the recent debate, but deep reservations persist about whether he’s up to the job.
Biden indicated he’s aware of those doubts, but insists he’s still the best candidate to beat Trump in November.
That will remain an open question until and unless he steps aside.
The tension among Democrats watching the presser was palpable, as many feared he would lose his train of thought or misspeak badly. Except for referring to his running mate as Vice-President Trump and the head of the joint chiefs as his Commander-in-Chief, he didn’t make too many embarrassing gaffes.
And he stayed on topic pretty consistently although his answers meandered a bit and went on too long in some cases. But he demonstrated that he has a firm grasp on key foreign policy issues and was able to express in great depth and nuance opinions on topics that a person with cognitive impairment would not be able to do.
Nevertheless, Democrats are so nervous that I doubt Biden will be able to continue to resist the growing pressures from within his own party to step aside for much longer.
I give him another week or maybe two.
The Democratic convention is in roughly a month. By then, I expect a new presumptive nominee to face Trump in November. A potential ticket gaining support within the party is Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer.
An all-woman ticket might be the best scenario for defeating Trump, given his and the GOP’s vulnerability on abortion and women’s rights.
HEADLINES:
Biden’s High-Stakes Moment: NATO News Conference (NYT)
Democrats fear Biden drama may squander goldilocks economy (WP)
What is Project 2025? What to know about the conservative blueprint for a second Trump administration (CBS)
Prominent members of the Christian nationalist movement have maneuvered their way into Donald Trump’s inner circle — and their influence is remarkably clear in the draft Republican Party platform unveiled this week. [HuffPost]
Trump leads 2024 race in new poll as some Biden aides reportedly discuss how to convince him to end campaign (Guardian)
Biden confronts crucial day in his campaign, as his team says no Democrat would do better (AP)
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) said it “wouldn’t hurt” for Biden to take a cognitive test, although she continues to back the president's White House bid. [HuffPost]
Residents of Gaza City are trapped in houses and bodies lie uncollected in the streets under an intense new Israeli assault, even as Washington pushed for a peace deal at talks in Egypt and Qatar. (Reuters)
Hundreds of thousands of Texans could be without power a week after Beryl (WP)
NPR gets $5.5 million grant to strengthen local journalism as news deserts spread (NPR)
The United States will start deploying longer range missiles in Germany in 2026, the two countries announced in Washington. The decision will send Germany the most potent US weapons to be based on the European continent since the Cold War. (Reuters)
Google says Gemini AI is making its robots smarter (Verge)
MIT researchers introduce generative AI for databases (MIT)
The sperm whale 'phonetic alphabet' revealed by AI (BBC)
A.I. Helped to Find a Vast Source of the Copper That A.I. Needs to Thrive (NYT)
Biden Forgets Nation’s Name (The Onion)
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