This is what a ‘big boy’ press conference looks like: two autocue screens, a list of vetted journalists and press officers with microphones, ready to silence awkward questions.
The White House had used the term, first used by a reporter, to indicate that President Joe Biden would provide unvarnished evidence of his ability to dodge tough questions.
But even with the barriers of screens, meddling aides and an opening statement, Biden sometimes struggled with a hoarse throat, sloppy sentences and meandering answers.
He was asked whether Kamala Harris could beat Donald Trump if she were in the lead, and he answered in a painful manner.
“Look, I wouldn’t have chosen Vice President Trump as vice president if I didn’t think she was fit to be vice president,” he said, sparking a flurry of Republican memes, with mashups of Harris and Trump quickly appearing online.
President Joe Biden appeared for the first solo press conference since November on the sidelines of a NATO summit in a bid to quell criticism that he is no longer fit for duty
But Biden largely did what he was supposed to do, taking questions from 10 reporters and speaking for an hour on topics ranging from the Democratic convention and his health to long-range weapons for Ukraine and how to deal with a rising China.
His allies and concerned Democrats wanted proof that he was still the right man, and embarrassing mistakes aside, he delivered.
But it doesn’t change anything. He’s still fighting for his political life.
This was never the make-or-break night the media made it out to be. It was a survive-or-die night. No performance would ever have been good enough to change the foundation.
He is still the oldest president in history. He is still getting older. And, while he has struggled time and again to clear his throat, nights like this are going to get harder and harder.
He opened his news conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where world leaders were celebrating NATO’s 75th anniversary, with a telephone-based filibuster on the importance of alliances and a series of his administration’s accomplishments.
The room, packed with about 100 journalists, all holding phones with the text of the prepared question, began to grow restless.
Was this it? Did Biden do a Trump-like thing and call reporters into a “press conference,” just to talk to them, and then leave?
The president was asked if Kamala Harris could beat Donald Trump if she were at the top of the ticket, and responded in a painful manner
Biden did what he had to do Thursday night and lives to fight another day
“That answers your questions,” Biden said, to almost audible relief from his audience.
“I’ve been given a list of people to call here: Reuters, Jeff Mason.”
He was immediately asked about George Clooney’s shocking intervention the day before, in which he was asked to withdraw. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested there was still time to make a decision.
“There’s a long way to go in this campaign,” Biden said. “And so I’m just going to keep going, keep going.”
“And look, I have more work to do. We have more work to finish this.”
If Biden’s future hinged heavily on NATO leadership, it was partly because Biden wanted it to.
“I think a good way to judge me,” he told George Stephanopoulos on ABC last week, “is to see him at the top.
Biden leaves after answering questions from 10 journalists in an hour
And lo and behold, the world certainly did. Perhaps not everyone saw the details of the Ukraine Compact earlier in the day, and the series of security agreements and promises, but everyone will have seen Biden introduce the Ukrainian president by now.
“Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin,” he said, before realizing he was actually supposed to introduce President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is at war with Putin.
A gasp went through the room. Some people shouted the right name as the leader of the free world tried to rally. “No, we’re going to beat Putin,” he said.
Biden made it clear during the press conference that he has no intention of withdrawing from the race.
But it leaves Democrats with a dilemma. Top donors, supporters and key lawmakers have raised alarms about whether the veteran can take on Trump in November.
Biden has spent this week surrounded by the pomp and circumstance of NATO, hosting allied heads of state and government at the White House on Wednesday
He previously met new British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Starmer later said the president was “in good shape” when asked about his health and fitness
Yet he refuses to bend to time. And no performance will ever be good enough to silence the doubters on his own side.
“I’m determined to compete, but I think it’s important that I take away any fears and that they see me there,” he told reporters.
After an hour, his press officer Karine Jean-Pierre was determined to wrap things up and get everyone home without causing any more damage. “This concludes the press conference,” she shouted from the floor.
Biden couldn’t resist answering one last question.
NBC News’ Peter Alexander pointed out that he previously confused Harris, his own vice president, with Trump.
“Right now, Donald Trump is using that to mock your age and your memory,” he said. “How do you combat that criticism?”
“Listen to that other guy…” he said with a smile, as he left with his best joke of the night.