In a scene reminiscent of Roy Jenkins' famous metaphor about Tony Blair, President Joe Biden faced a series of blunders that have left his campaign in disarray. On Thursday, at the NATO summit in Washington, Biden's slip-ups were on full display. The 81-year-old president's introduction of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as "President Putin" was just the beginning of a series of gaffes that have raised serious concerns among Democrats and international observers.
"President Putin!" Biden exclaimed before quickly correcting himself. The awkward moment left European leaders and officials uncertain whether to clap, highlighting the president's struggle to maintain the confidence of his allies and his party.
The situation only worsened during Biden's press conference. Asked about losing support among fellow Democrats and key unions, and the possibility of Vice-President Kamala Harris replacing him on the ticket, Biden mistakenly referred to Harris as "Vice-President Trump." This blunder caused an uncomfortable silence among the attending reporters, as Biden mixed up Harris and his opponent, Donald Trump, who he had recently debated.
"Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice-President Trump to be vice president if I didn't think she was qualified to be president," Biden said, confusing Harris, a 59-year-old Black woman and former prosecutor, with Trump, a 78-year-old white man and convicted felon.
The slip-ups did not go unnoticed by senior Biden officials seated in the front row. Secretary of State Antony Blinken closed his eyes and dropped his head slightly in response to the mix-up, while National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan put his hand to his mouth, seemingly in disbelief. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remained stoic but nodded slightly, appearing to contain his discomfort.
The calls for Biden to reconsider his re-election bid have grown louder, especially among congressional Democrats. Representatives Jim Himes, Eric Sorensen, and Scott Peters were the latest to join a growing list of Democrats urging Biden to retire after his term ends. The Pew Research Center's recent poll showing Trump ahead by four points and less than a quarter of Americans believing Biden is "mentally sharp" adds fuel to these calls.
The press conference continued to expose Biden's vulnerabilities. At one point, he mistakenly said he was following the advice of his "commander-in-chief," when he himself holds that title. His voice occasionally trailed off, and he often defaulted to a whisper, a habit that has drawn criticism.
Despite the blunders, Biden attempted to assert his competence and experience, especially in foreign policy. He dismissed questions about damaging America's standing in the world, retorting, "Did you see any damage to our standing in my leading this conference? Have you seen a more successful conference?" He emphasized his role in rebuilding alliances and partnerships, pointing out his long-standing expertise and experience, noting, "The only thing age does is creates a little bit of wisdom, if you pay attention."
However, the president's critics argue that these incidents reveal his diminishing capacity to lead. Trump quickly ridiculed Biden's mistake, posting on social media: "Crooked Joe begins his 'Big Boy' Press Conference with, 'I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, though I think she was not qualified to be president.' Great job, Joe!"
Biden's error-filled performance also included difficulties pronouncing "neurologist" while addressing questions about his fitness for office. He claimed he wouldn't seek another cognitive exam unless his doctors requested it, though there has been speculation about his health, including rumors of Parkinson's disease.
Biden's missteps come at a critical time as world leaders from 19 nations gathered to announce the signing of the Ukraine Compact, a new security agreement between Kyiv and numerous NATO members. Despite the agreement's significance, the focus remained on Biden's performance.
As the press conference concluded, NBC News' Peter Alexander noted that Trump was already using Biden's gaffes to mock his age and memory. When asked how he would combat such criticism, Biden simply smiled and said, "Listen to him," before leaving the stage.
In the aftermath, Biden's supporters were left to piece together the shards of his fractured performance. For some, his extensive knowledge and experience were evident, but for others, the gaffes overshadowed any substantive discussion. As the election looms, Biden faces an uphill battle to convince both his party and the public that he still has the capability to lead effectively.
