Biden tells Stephanopoulos that only the “Lord Almighty” could expel him

President Joe Biden’s long-awaited interview with ABC George Stephanopoulos demonstrated that it is still capable of providing answers, but has not moved mountains.

Much of the interview focused on Biden’s highly criticized performance in the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia, last week, with Stephanopoulos opening the discussion on the issue.

The 81-year-old candidate, who admitted to having a “bad night” last Thursday, told Stephanopoulos that the debate “did not indicate any serious condition”, adding that he was simply “exhausted”.

While Stephanopoulos touted media reports that the debate could have been part of a broader picture of aging, Biden criticized the reports, claiming he is still fit to run and govern.

“Can I run 110 flat? No, but I’m still in good shape,” Biden said, before openly denying that he is more fragile now than in 2020.

But Biden also resisted the idea that voters would see him as older or less competent, telling Stephanopoulos he doesn’t believe he’s seriously behind the times.

“Every pollster I talk to tells me it’s a toss-up,” Biden he saidclaiming that polls showing his defeat after the debate did not represent substantial changes from pre-debate numbers.

Asked whether it would be worth taking the risk of continuing in the race, despite the discouraging poll numbers, Biden said: “I don’t think there is anyone more qualified to be president or win this race than me.”

Biden went on to tell Stephanopoulos that his campaign has not suffered a drop in the polls – just in the press.

According to New York Times, Top Democrats view the interview as “a whitewash,” essentially admitting that his performance is not devastating enough to knock him out of the race but has failed to win over harsh critics.

Biden, who has struck a more combative tone with the press as media amplifies calls for Democrats to drop him from the ticket, rejected claims that top Democratic lawmakers would try to see him drop out of the race.

“I spoke to all of them [House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi] … If the Lord Almighty came down and said ‘Joe, get out of the race,’ I would get out of the race, but the Lord Almighty won’t come down,” he told Stephanopoulos.