Some reports earlier claimed President Joe Biden told his close aides that he was mulling whether to opt out of the presidential race. But the report was downright rejected by the White House as several spokespersons asserted that there is now no room for even discussing that issue — Biden is not going anywhere. In the ABC News interview, Biden took the question head on and said he might stand down only if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells him that.
“Have you convinced yourself that only you can defeat him?” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Biden.
“I convinced myself of two things. I’m the most qualified person to beat him, and I know how to get things done,” Biden said.
“If you can be convinced that you cannot defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?” George asked Biden.
“It depends on– on if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that,” Biden said with a laugh.
“And if Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi come down and say, “We’re worried that if you stay in the race, we’re gonna lose the House and the Senate,” how will you respond?”
Biden said, “I’d go into detail with them. I’ve spoken to all of them in detail, including Jim Clyburn, every one of ’em. They all said I should stay in the race– stay in the race. No one said– none of the people said I should.”
But if they do?
“Well, it’s, like, (LAUGH) they’re not gonna do that.”
You’re sure?
“Well, Yeah, I’m sure. Look. I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, “Joe, get outta the race,” I’d get outta the race. The Lord Almighty’s not comin’ down. I mean, these hypotheticals, George, if, I mean, it’s all–“
“Have you convinced yourself that only you can defeat him?” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos asked Biden.
“I convinced myself of two things. I’m the most qualified person to beat him, and I know how to get things done,” Biden said.
“If you can be convinced that you cannot defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?” George asked Biden.
“It depends on– on if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that,” Biden said with a laugh.
“And if Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi come down and say, “We’re worried that if you stay in the race, we’re gonna lose the House and the Senate,” how will you respond?”
Biden said, “I’d go into detail with them. I’ve spoken to all of them in detail, including Jim Clyburn, every one of ’em. They all said I should stay in the race– stay in the race. No one said– none of the people said I should.”
But if they do?
“Well, it’s, like, (LAUGH) they’re not gonna do that.”
You’re sure?
“Well, Yeah, I’m sure. Look. I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, “Joe, get outta the race,” I’d get outta the race. The Lord Almighty’s not comin’ down. I mean, these hypotheticals, George, if, I mean, it’s all–“