Key takeaways from Biden's news conference: Insistence on staying in the race and flubbed names

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses President Joe Biden's solo news conference, where he faced questions from the White House press corps. It highlights Biden's notable flubs, such as referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump." The article also covers Biden's responses on various topics, including his work to preserve NATO, his plans for a second term, and his defense of his capabilities to be president.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Biden's Performance at the News Conference

1. What were some of the notable flubs made by Biden during the news conference?

• Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" and Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump."
• Biden made at least two notable flubs during the news conference.

2. How did Biden respond when a reporter brought up his reference to "Vice President Trump"? Biden was defiant when a reporter brought up his reference to "Vice President Trump," telling the reporter to "Listen to him" before walking off the stage.

3. How did Biden's performance at the news conference compare to his previous debate against Trump? The news conference was meant to reassure a disheartened group of Democratic lawmakers, allies, and persuadable voters that Biden still has the strength and stamina to be president, after his feeble and tongue-tied performance in the June 27 debate against Trump.

[02] Biden's Responses on Key Issues

1. How did Biden defend his decision to pick Kamala Harris as his running mate? Biden said he wouldn't have picked Harris unless he thought she was qualified to be president, citing her resume from prosecutor to the U.S. Senate.

2. What did Biden say about the possibility of stepping down for Harris if polling showed she had a better chance of beating Trump? Biden responded "No, unless they come back and said there's no way you can win," and added in a stage whisper, "No poll's saying that."

3. How did Biden discuss his work to preserve NATO and his plans for a second term? Biden tied himself to an American tradition stretching "from Truman to Reagan to me" of defending NATO, and gave detailed responses about his work to preserve NATO and his plans for a second term.

4. What other key issues did Biden discuss during the news conference? Biden discussed topics such as inflation, the creation of manufacturing jobs, capping rent growth for low-income housing tenants, and his efforts to push back against China's support for Russia during the war in Ukraine.