CNN focus groups of Democratic voters in battleground states gave Biden favorable ratings after his solo news conference on Thursday.
CNN reporter Gary Tuchman spoke to a group of seven women at a senior citizens’ recreation center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, who said they “liked” Biden and those who voted for non-Trump candidates. When asked, five of them thought the press conference was “better than expected,” two said it was as expected, and none thought it was worse than expected.
One woman who was “undecided” about whether Biden should continue in the campaign told Tuchman she was “relieved” by Biden’s performance.
“I think it would be better for him to stay,” she said, shifting her position.
“I think he’s the logical choice,” said the second woman who said she supports Biden, though she has “not yet decided” whether he will continue in the campaign.
Biden’s important solo press conference condemned by right-wingers as “another disaster”
CNN’s Democratic focus group gave President Biden favorable ratings after his solo press conference. (Screenshot/CNN)
A third voter who thought Biden should “pass the baton” before the press conference maintained that view afterward, telling Tuchman, “I think Biden came off more defensive than confident. I think we’re all eager to have confidence in our candidate going into the November election.”
The fourth voter said, “All [her] She said her “confidence” in Biden remains unwavering, saying “everyone has bad days and I knew he was sick,” and acknowledged it might have been a “bad choice” to go ahead with the debate.
“He’s a fundamentally strong man,” the voter told Tuchman.
Biden held an hour-long press conference where he answered multiple questions in an attempt to ease concerns about a mental breakdown.
During a press conference, President Biden mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump,” attracting attention. (Graham Sloane/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A fifth voter agreed, adding, “Joe Biden really cares about the people. He’s knowledgeable and experienced. He doesn’t just think about himself, he really cares about the country.”
“Is it possible that we have more confidence in Kamala Harris or Governor Whitmer of Michigan?” Tuchman asked.
“That’s right. Yes, that’s right,” the voter replied. “I think Joe Biden has done a great job… I’ve always had confidence.”
NBC’s Chuck Todd says Biden’s “whole narrative” would fall apart if he continues to campaign. “His ambition is paramount.”
Biden has faced growing calls from within his party for him to resign following his disastrous performance in last month’s debate. (Graham Sloane/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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There were several eyebrow-raising moments during the press conference, including when Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “President Trump” and said he was “following the advice of the commander in chief” when he meant the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Just before the press conference, he accidentally Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “Putin”.
The news conference came amid ongoing confusion within the Democratic Party over whether Biden should continue to run or step aside following his disastrous performance in last month’s debate.
Fox News’ Lindsay Cornick contributed to this report.
