Biden fields questions on ability, foreign affairs while misspeaking at times

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE EYES OF THE WORLD WERE ON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THURSDAY NIGHT AS HE DELIVERED AN HOUR-LONG PRESS CONFERENCE TO CLOSE OUT THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON – THE FIRST SINCE HIS POOR PERFORMANCE AT LAST MONTH’S DEBATE WHICH HAS LED TO GROWING CONCERN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ABOUT HIS CANDIDACY. 

THE PRESIDENT FIELDED QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS – BUT IT WAS A GAFFE MADE BY BIDEN EARLIER IN THE DAY AT THE SUMMIT THAT WAS ALREADY ON PEOPLE’S MINDS —  WHEN HE MISSPOKE WHILE INTRODUCING UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY.   

“Now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentleman, President Putin. President Putin? He’s going to beat President Putin. President Zelenskyy. I’m so focused on beating Putin, we’ve got to worry about it. Anyway, Mr. President.” 

“I’m better.” 

“You are a whole hell of a lot better.” 

THEN CAME THE EVENING PRESS CONFERENCE – HIS FIRST IN EIGHT MONTHS. 

THE PRESIDENT MAKING IT CLEAR — HE PLANS ON STAYING IN THE RACE TO FACE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN NOVEMBER – DESPITE THE CALLS FROM DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS TO STEP ASIDE. 

“I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once and I’ll beat him again.” 

BUT JUST MINUTES INTO THE Q&A PORTION – BIDEN SLIPPED WHEN ASKED ABOUT VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’ ABILITY TO BEAT TRUMP IF SHE WERE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET. 

“Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president, did I think she was not qualified to be president, so let’s start there.”  

AND WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION ABOUT THE US’ MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE – HE MADE ANOTHER ERROR BEFORE CORRECTING HIMSELF. 

“I’m following the advice of my commander in chief – my the chief of staff of the military, as well as the secretary of defense and our intelligence people.” 

BUT BIDEN SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME IN FRONT OF THE PRESS CORP DISPLAYING HIS UNDERSTANDING OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS – GIVING DETAILED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS ON RUSSIA, CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST — 

“We have to make clear China has to understand that if they are supplying 

Russia with information and capacity along with working with North Korea and others to help Russia and Armament that they’re not going to benefit economically as a consequence of that by getting the kind of investment they’re looking for.”“I know Israel well and I support Israel but this war cabinet is one of the most conservative War cabinets in the history of Israel and there’s no ultimate answer other than a two-state solution here.” 

ULTIMATELY – THE QUESTIONS CAME BACK TO BIDEN’S WELL-BEING. THE PRESIDENT ASKED IF HE’D BE WILLING TO TAKE ANOTHER NEUROLOGICAL EXAM. 

“Every single day I’m surrounded by good docs, if they think there’s a problem I promise you or even if they don’t think it’s a problem they think I should have a neurological exam again I’ll do it but no one’s suggesting that to me now.” 

“You earlier explained confidence in your vice president if your team came back and showed you data that she would fair better against former President Donald Trump would you reconsider your decision to stay in the race?” 

“No, unless they came back and said there’s no way you can win. Me. No one’s saying that. No poll says that.” 

AND WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SEIZING THE MOMENT – AND COMMENTING ON BIDEN’S MISSTEPS – THE PRESIDENT WAS ASKED TO RESPOND AS THE PRESS CONFERENCE CONCLUDED.  

“Earlier you misspoke in your opening answer you referred to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump ,right now Donald Trump is using that to mock your age and your memory, how do you combat that criticism from tonight?” 

“Listen to him.” 

“This concludes tonight’s press conference. Thank you everybody. Thanks everyone.” 

WHILE PRESIDENT BIDEN MAY HAVE HOPED HIS PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY NIGHT WOULD CALM FEARS OF HIS ABILITIES AMONG HIS PARTY – THREE MORE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS CALLED FOR BIDEN TO DROP OUT OF THE RACE AFTER THE PRESS CONFERENCE ENDED – JOINING 13 OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS AND ONE SENATE DEMOCRAT. 

CONGRESSMAN JIM HINES OF CONNECTICUT SAYING IN A STATEMENT THAT HE BELIEVES BIDEN IS “A REMARKABLE LEADER” BUT NEEDS TO “STEP AWAY FROM HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.” 

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PETERS OF CALIFORNIA SAYING HE IS ASKING THE PRESIDENT TO WITHDRAW – ADDING THE STAKES ARE HIGH AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE ON A LOSING COURSE. 

 AND CONGRESSMAN ERIC SORENSEN OF ILLINOIS SAYING HE HOPES THE PRESIDENT WILL STEP ASIDE FOR A CANDIDATE “WHO WILL COMMUNICATE A POSITIVE VISION FOR EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY.” 

MEANWHILE CBS NEWS REPORTS DOZENS OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO ISSUE STATEMENTS CALLING FOR BIDEN TO LEAVE THE RACE WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS. 

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS SEEKING TO HAVE HIS RECENT CRIMINAL CONVICTION IN NEW YORK THROWN OUT… BASED ON THE SUPREME COURT’S RECENT RULING ON PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY. 

TRUMP’S LAWYERS ARGUE SOME OF THE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY USED IN THE CRIMINAL TRIAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED… BECAUSE THEY WERE RELATED TO OFFICIAL ACTS TRUMP MADE WHILE PRESIDENT — WHICH THE SUPREME COURT RULED ARE PROTECTED FROM PROSECUTION. 

ALREADY — THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION HAS DELAYED SENTENCING IN THAT CASE. 

ORIGINALLY SET FOR YESTERDAY —  IT’S NOW BEEN PUSHED BACK TO SEPTEMBER 18-TH TO GIVE THE JUDGE TIME TO CONSIDER HOW THE RULING IMPACTS THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL. 

SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER SAYS DEMOCRATS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL THAT WOULD CLASSIFY SOME OF TRUMP’S ACTIONS THAT HAVE LANDED HIM IN LEGAL TROUBLES AS “UNOFFICIAL ACTS” SO THAT WAY HE COULD STILL BE PROSECUTED.

A WEEK-LONG HEAT WAVE HAS NEARLY 30 PEOPLE DEAD AND INCINERATED MULTIPLE TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN THE WEST — AND FORECASTERS SAY IT’LL CONTINUE TO BRING DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES THROUGH TOMORROW…  BEFORE MOVING TO THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U-S BY SUNDAY. 

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES ARE UNDER HEAT ADVISORIES — AND THE SITUATION IS ESPECIALLY BAD IN TEXAS… 

WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER AFTER HURRICANE BERYL TORE THROUGH MONDAY — KILLING AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE. 

MORE THAN 1 MILLION POWER CUSTOMERS IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS – MAINLY BETWEEN GALVESTON AND NORTH OF HOUSTON – ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER… AND OFFICIALS SAY HALF A MILLION HOUSTON-AREA HOMES AND BUSINESSES MAY NOT HAVE THEIR POWER RESTORED UNTIL NEXT WEEK. 

THE OUTAGES HAVE CRIPPLED INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE REGION — INCLUDING HOSPITALS AND WATER TREATMENT PLANTS… LEAVING MANY WITHOUT CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

DOLLAR GENERAL HAS AGREED TO PAY A 12 MILLION DOLLAR FINE — AND IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS AT THOUSANDS OF ITS STORE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. 

THE COMPANY REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH OSHA TO RESOLVE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS… INCLUDING UNSAFE STORAGE, BLOCKED EMERGENCY EXITS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND INACCESSIBLE ELECTRICAL PANELS. 

UNDER THE AGREEMENT — IF INSPECTORS FIND SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE — DOLLAR GENERAL COULD BE FINED UP TO 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY IF THEY’RE NOT RESOLVED WITHIN 48 HOURS. 

THE TERMS OF THE DEAL ALSO REQUIRE DOLLAR GENERAL TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE INVENTORY AND IMPROVE STOCKING TO PREVENT HAZARDS… AND HIRE MORE SAFETY MANAGERS — AS WELL AS CREATE A HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE WITH EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION.

THE BEST IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS WERE HONORED THURSDAY NIGHT AT ESPN’S ANNUAL AWARD SHOW – THE ESPYS. BUT GOING INTO THE EVENT – THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY OVER ESPN’S CHOICE TO RECEIVE THE PAT TILLMAN AWARD FOR SERVICE. 

THAT RECIPIENT —  PRINCE HARRY – WHO WAS SELECTED FOR HIS ROLE IN STARTING THE INVICTUS GAMES FOR WOUNDED MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VETERANS — TOOK A MOMENT TO RESPOND TO THE CONTROVERSY WHILE DELIVERING HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH. 

PRINCE HARRY | Duke of Sussex 

“I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation, led by Marie Tillman Shenton, who I’m so honored is here tonight. I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother. Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect. The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”  

IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE CEREMONY – THE MOTHER OF PAT TILLMAN – THE FORMER NFL PLAYER TURNED US SOLDIER WHO WAS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2004 — CRITICIZED ESPN’S SELECTION – SAYING THERE WERE RECIPIENTS FAR MORE FITTING.  

DURING HIS SPEECH – HARRY SAID HE IS JUST A VOICE FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION AND THE THOUSANDS OF VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS WHO HAVE TAKEN PART IN THE GAMES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. 

ADDING THE AWARD BELONGS TO THEM.