U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that only “the Almighty God” could convince him to withdraw from his bid for re-election.
Biden made these comments on Friday in an interview with ABC News, aiming to dispel doubts and concerns among Democrats about his candidacy in the November 5th election.
He again described his poor performance in the presidential debate against his Republican rival, Donald Trump, on June 27 on CNN as “a bad episode.”
“There are no indications of any serious illness. I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts about preparations… it was a bad night,” said Biden, 81.
“It was just a bad night. I don’t know why,” Biden added.
Biden was gently but persistently questioned by moderator George Stephanopoulos about whether he genuinely believed he could defeat Trump, given the polls and rising concerns among Democrats.
“I think no one else is more qualified,” Biden emphasized.
According to him, the polls are not accurate.
Asked if he would withdraw if any Democrats in Congress said he was hurting their chances for re-election in November, Biden stressed: “If the Almighty God comes and asks me this, then I might do it.”
The president responded to questions more clearly than in last week’s debate against Trump, but his voice still sounded weak and occasionally hoarse.
Earlier this week, a poll found that one in three Democrats think Biden should end his re-election bid after last week’s debate with his Republican rival Donald Trump.
The two-day poll, which closed on Tuesday, revealed that Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, maintain the support of 40% of registered voters.
About 32% of Democrats in the poll said Biden should withdraw from the re-election race after the June 27 debate.
In that debate, Biden stammered throughout and failed to challenge Trump’s attacks, which often included false claims.
Biden himself admitted he did not perform well during the debate with Trump but said his re-election “would destroy democracy.”
