First interview after TV disaster: US President Biden: Only God can change my mind

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger First interview after TV disaster: US President Biden: Only God can change my mind 16 hours • 4 minutes reading time Joe Biden remains determined: In a widely watched television interview, the US President rejected any doubts about his suitability as a presidential candidate. He is reacting intransigently to the increasing criticism of him. "I don't think anyone is more qualified to be president or to win this race than I am," he said in a 20-minute conversation with ABC News. Only God could make him withdraw. With the interview, the 81-year-old, already oldest US president in history, actually wanted to limit the damage. According to initial assessments by experts, however, the conversation did not help to dispel doubts about him within his party. Biden's appearance did not seem to have understood the seriousness of the situation. Rather, he questioned the credibility of polls that showed him continuing to lose support in recent days. "I don't buy that," he said. His advisers would tell him otherwise. Biden resists cognitive ability test A week ago, Biden made a disastrous appearance in the first televised debate with his Republican challenger Donald Trump before the November election, making several mistakes and losing the thread. After the appearance, a debate broke out in the USA about whether Biden is the right Democratic presidential candidate to successfully keep Trump out of the White House. Biden also refused a medical test of his mental fitness after several inquiries from journalist George Stephanopoulos. "I take a cognitive test every day. (...) You know, I'm not just campaigning, I rule the world," Biden emphasized. That may sound exaggerated, but the USA is the most important nation in the world. Stephanopoulos had previously asked Biden whether he would be willing to undergo an independent medical examination, which also included neurological and cognitive tests - and whether he would have the results published. Trump had taken such a test during his time in office. He had been faced with doubts about his mental capacity because of his erratic political style. The Republican decided to have his mental abilities checked at the time - and took a test that is used, among other things, for the early detection of suspected dementia and Alzheimer's. According to his doctor, Trump passed with 30 out of 30 points. "Only the Almighty" can persuade Biden to withdraw Biden's advanced age and mental state are the election campaign issue par excellence in the USA. The president had to put up with various questions about this in the interview, but there was no political content at all. Stephanopoulos did not deviate from the topic, while Biden tried to focus on the successes of his time in office. According to ABC, the interview was broadcast unedited. Biden had no major lapses or blunders, but sometimes searched for words. Stephanopoulos also asked Biden what could persuade him to drop out of the race. Biden referred to God and replied: "If the Almighty comes and says, 'Joe, drop out of the race,' then I'll drop out of the race. But the Almighty will not come," said the devout Catholic. Biden refused to elaborate on what would happen if confidants warned him that his behavior would also have a negative impact on the majorities in the US Congress. "I will not answer that question. That will not happen," Biden replied. Everyone would tell him to stay in the race. In the November election, in addition to the presidency, many seats in parliament will be reassigned. Fears are growing among Democrats that the Republicans could control both the White House and Congress in the future. Representative: Prevent total catastrophe Shortly before the interview was broadcast, another Democratic representative openly called on Biden to withdraw. Only if Biden drops out of the race can a "total catastrophe" be prevented, warned Mike Quigley. According to reports, Senator Mark Warner is trying to rally a group of Democrats behind him to convince Biden to drop out of the race. When asked about Warner, Biden said: "He is a good man (...). I respect him." The Democrat is currently fighting on all fronts to save his presidential candidacy. He is also counting on numerous campaign events. At an event in the US state of Wisconsin, he said: "I'm staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump."