Biden Defiant In Post-NATO Press Conference, Touts Victories, 'Getting The Job Done'

President Joe Biden spoke live at a scheduled — and unscripted — press conference Thursday evening as the NATO Summit wrapped up after three days in Washington, D.C.

While Biden had a well-received speech on the opening day of the summit, he stumbled today (Thursday) when he introduced Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin” during a signing ceremony for the Ukraine Compact.

Biden appeared later for the press conference in a seemingly defiant mood.

See Also: Do Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama Want Joe Biden To Step Aside In 2024 Election?

Biden initially addressed the success of the NATO Summit, then segued into his achievements in office, such as inflation going down, securing the southern border and working on a cease-fire with Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

There was a name mix-up issue: Biden mentioned Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump, and in doing so, seemed to say he didn't think Harris was ready to be president — when he presumably meant Trump.

He didn’t seem to notice, nor did any reporters directly address it. But a reporter did later ask about what Biden thought of Harris as a candidate, he said, “I wouldn't have picked her if I didn't think she wasn't qualified to be president … she is qualified.”

Biden seemed to settle in when talking about foreign policy, in which he discussed in detail issues with China, Ukraine, Russia, Gaza and Europe, noting “I'm not having any of my European allies say to me, ‘Joe, don't run.' What I hear them say is, ‘You've got to win,'" Biden said.

“So much we can still do, I am determined to do it,” Biden said about continuing to run for president.

Why It’s Important: This press conference came after much discussion about whether or not Biden should continue to run as the Democratic candidate for president after a less-than-stellar appearance at the presidential debate on June 27 against former President Donald Trump.

Some fellow Democratic members of Congress have called for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, as well as prominent Democrats, such as actor George Clooney, who headlined a fundraiser for the president in June, but wrote an op-ed in the New York Times Wednesday calling for Biden to step down.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she would support whatever Biden decides.

“It’s up to the president to decide if he’s going to run. We’re all encouraging him to make that decision. Because time is running short,” Pelosi said, choosing her words carefully during an appearance on “Morning Joe” on Wednesday.

Biden isn’t the only one who is being questioned as a viable candidate: a poll said that both candidates, Trump and Biden, should both step aside for other candidates.

Read Next:
• Trump, Biden Should Both Step Aside, Majority Of Americans Say: Pew Research Poll

Photo: Shutterstock