German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday warned against underestimating President Biden, describing him as a “very focused” leader following this week’s NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.
Scholz, who has been an outspoken supporter of Biden’s leadership in recent months, was asked by PBS News whether he still believes the president can defeat former President Trump, given the fallout from his disastrous debate performance last month.
“I’m not someone who can say what the outcome of the American elections will be,” Scholz responded. “But I think it would be a big mistake to underestimate the president. He can do the necessary things, for example, in organizing the NATO alliance.”
“And your leadership has been very important in recent years and months, and also in preparing this same meeting here in Washington. And he is also a successful activist,” he continued.
Scholz later said he saw no moment from Biden last week that indicated he won’t be in office for another four years, as some lawmakers and political experts argued after the presidential debate.
“And I can tell you, from my perspective, as someone who is talking to Biden, he is very focused and intensely doing what the president of the United States has to do to lead the alliance,” Scholz said.
He said he watched last month’s debate because everyone in Europe is “interested” in American politics, given that the US is “the strongest superpower in the world.”
When asked if he had any concerns about attending the debate, Scholz said: “I think he expressed his views and argued why it is necessary to work on good global cooperation with our friends and allies of democracy – the democratic states.”
“And he was very clear and focused on national policy issues,” he added.
Biden is facing growing pressure from some in the Democratic Party to withdraw from the 2024 race due to concerns he will not be able to defeat Trump or serve another four-year term.
Biden, at a press conference after the NATO Summit on Thursday, defended his viability as the party’s candidate and was adamant that he was the best choice to go against Trump.
“I believe I am the most qualified to govern,” Biden said. “And I think I’m the most qualified to win. But there are other people who could also beat Trump. But everything starts from scratch. And you know, we talk about money raised. We’re not doing bad.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
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