Joe Biden calls Zelensky ‘President Putin’, confuses his VP with Trump

Washington. It was supposed to be the big service in which the experienced leader of a world power would dispel growing doubts about his suitability for another four years in office. A “big boy” press conference, as Joe Biden’s advisers had announced with demonstrative and confident anticipation. But then the 81-year-old stumbled before the long-awaited event even began. “Now I give the floor to the president of Ukraine, President Putin!” Biden introduced his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of the NATO summit in Washington.

A lapse. And what a lapse. And a very bad start for trying to rally the skeptics in his party. Things didn’t get any better at the press conference that followed. On the contrary. Biden had barely broken away from the teleprompter after eight minutes and was starting to answer questions when he made the following slip of the tongue. A reporter wanted to know whether his deputy, Kamala Harris, was qualified to run for president. “I wouldn’t have voted for Vice President Trump if I didn’t believe that,” Biden replied.

For ten agonizing minutes, everything revolved around the candidate’s mental fitness, the dominant topic in the US since his disastrous performance in the televised duel. Biden’s voice sounded hoarse and he had to clear his throat repeatedly. The president seemed completely on the defensive. He even had to provide information about his bedtime.

“Because I still have to finish the job”

But then David Sanger, the renowned New York Times security expert who has known Biden for a long time, spoke up. “Be nice, David,” he joked. Sanger asked a question about China’s role. And suddenly Biden was in his element. Without notes, he spoke for 15 minutes about the state of the world and protectionist barriers to investment in China. About the vast empire’s new alliances with North Korea, Iran and Russia. And about the situation in the Middle East. He even included pointed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the well-informed ride through world politics.

Later, a reporter asked him why he hadn’t followed through on his promise to be a “bridge” and resign. “Because I still have to finish the job,” was his answer. It sounded convincing.

The only problem is that Joe Biden would first have to be re-elected in November, which seems highly unlikely at this point, given the widespread skepticism about his age.

Ultimately, the press conference may have divided Democrats even more. Biden was technically better than his debate failure suggested. But the presentation, with two blatant promises, did little to dispel doubts about his ability to hold the world’s most important job for another four years.