Biden’s ABC Interview: A Crucial Test for His Campaign

President Joe Biden’s upcoming interview with ABC News is poised to be a critical juncture in his re-election campaign. Scheduled to air at 8 p.m. EST on Friday night, this high-profile sit-down with George Stephanopoulos could significantly influence the trajectory of Biden’s 2024 bid. The interview comes at a time when Biden is facing increased scrutiny and pressure following a widely criticized debate performance. This debate has fueled calls from some quarters for him to reconsider his candidacy, as doubts about his age and mental acuity gain traction.

In the aftermath of the debate, Biden has acknowledged to ABC that he experienced a “bad episode” and was “sick” during the event. This admission comes as the Biden campaign struggles to manage the fallout from the debate, which was marred by a series of verbal missteps and difficulties in addressing some questions. These issues have intensified concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve effectively, prompting debates within the Democratic Party about whether he should continue his campaign.

The interview with Stephanopoulos is expected to be a crucial moment for Biden to address these concerns directly. With Democrats increasingly questioning Biden’s ability to continue as a viable candidate, the interview represents a key opportunity for him to reaffirm his competence and readiness for a second term. The Biden campaign is hoping that a strong performance in this interview will help to quell some of the growing doubts about his fitness for office.

Reports suggest that Biden has privately acknowledged the importance of his upcoming appearances, including the ABC interview, for his campaign’s prospects. Sources close to the Biden administration, as reported by The New York Times and CNN, indicate that Biden understands the need to make a strong impression in these appearances to maintain his candidacy. However, White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates has disputed these reports, labeling them as “absolutely false,” adding a layer of complexity to the situation.

Recent polls have shown a troubling trend for Biden, with many indicating a slip in his standing against former President Donald Trump. Voters have expressed significant doubts about Biden’s mental fitness, a concern that has been exacerbated by his debate performance. The Biden campaign is now faced with the challenge of reversing these negative perceptions in the remaining months before the election.

The ABC interview will also serve as a test of Biden’s ability to engage with the public and perform without a teleprompter—a skill that will be critical for his effectiveness on the campaign trail and, if re-elected, during a second term. The debate performance has been framed by the Biden administration as an isolated incident rather than indicative of a broader issue with aging. Nevertheless, Biden’s ability to address these concerns effectively will be closely scrutinized during the interview.

Since the debate, Biden has admitted to his shortcomings, acknowledging that he does not “debate as well” as he used to and conceding that he “screwed up” on stage. Despite these admissions, calls from some Democrats and commentators for him to step down have intensified. Prominent Democrats, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have urged Biden to increase his visibility and address his health and debate performance directly. Beshear has suggested that Biden should be more transparent about his health, while Pritzker has emphasized the need for improved communication.

In response to the debate fallout, the Biden campaign strategically chose ABC News for this critical interview due to its high viewership and perceived impartiality compared to other media outlets. Stephanopoulos, who has a history of interviewing Biden, including following significant events such as the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and during the 2020 Democratic primaries, is seen as a familiar and relatively neutral interviewer.

Biden’s debate performance, marked by verbal errors and struggles with certain questions, has sparked significant alarm within Democratic circles. This has led to suggestions that he might consider withdrawing from the race and allowing another Democrat to secure the party’s nomination before the convention next month. In the past week, calls for Biden to step aside have come from various sources, including pundits, editorial boards, major donors, and several Democratic lawmakers. Despite this, prominent figures like former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have voiced support for Biden, although some lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have publicly questioned whether the debate issues are indicative of a larger problem.

Biden has firmly rejected the idea of withdrawing from the race, declaring, “I’m in this race to the end.” If Biden were to step down before the Democratic National Convention on August 19, the party would need to hold an open convention to select a new nominee. This process, which has not been used since 1968, would involve selecting a new candidate on the convention floor. The specifics of replacing Biden remain uncertain, and he might endorse Vice President Kamala Harris or another candidate. There have been suggestions of pre-convention debates or mini primaries to gauge voter support for potential replacements, as proposed by allies like Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Potential replacements for Biden have begun to emerge, with many top Democrats coalescing around Harris as a viable candidate. Despite her low approval ratings—currently at 37% according to FiveThirtyEight—recent polls suggest she might have a better chance of defeating Trump than Biden. For instance, a CNN/SRRS poll indicates Harris trailing Trump by just two points (45%-47%), and she is shown to be a more favorable candidate compared to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, all of whom have pushed back against rumors of presidential bids. Meanwhile, Trump’s lead over Biden has reached a record high following the debate, with recent polls showing Trump holding a significant advantage in head-to-head matchups.