US President Joe Biden declared that “it remains to be seen” whether he will run for reelection in 2024.
During a “60 Minutes” interview with CBS News’ Scott Pelley on Sunday, Biden talked about his decision on seeking another four years in the White House.
The president made a “firm decision,” which was the latest indication that 79-year-old Biden will step aside after his first term in office.
“Look, my intention, as I said to begin with, is that I would run again. But it’s just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen,” President Biden said.
The CBS correspondent then pressed Biden regarding his commitment to serving a second term and whether it would rely on “certain conditions.”
“It’s much too early to make that kind of decision. I’m a great respecter of fate. And so, what I’m doing is I’m doing my job. I’m gonna do that job. And within the timeframe that makes sense after this next election cycle here, going into next year, make a judgment on what to do,” the president added.
Previously, the president reportedly declared that he would run again.
According to the reports, the president told former President Barack Obama last January that he sincerely was planning to run again with hopes to beat back speculation that he will retire.
Meanwhile, some Democratic members declared that the president needs to let a younger generation take charge in the White House.
In a statement released by Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Tim Ryan, earlier this month, he said that “People, I think, want some change,” I think it’s time for some generational change, which of course I’ve been trying to do for a while now.”
Moreover, Republicans have also questioned the president’s mental status as he turns 80 in November, which makes him the oldest president in the country’s history.
“I respect the fact that people would say, you know, ‘You’re old,’” the president told Pelley.
“But I think it relates to how much energy you have and whether or not the job you’re doing is one consistent with what any person of any age would be able to do.”
Biden then dared the critics to “watch” him.
“Watch me. And honest to God, that’s all I think. Watch me. If you think I don’t have the energy level or the mental acuity, then, you know, that’s one thing. It’s another thing, you just watch and, you know, keep my schedule. Do what I’m doing. I think that, you know, I don’t– when I sit down with our NATO allies and keep them together, I don’t have them saying, ‘Wait a minute, how– how old are you?’” Biden said.
“How would you say your mental focus is?” Pelley asked.
“Oh, it’s focused. I’d say it’s– I think it’s– I– I haven’t– look, I have trouble even mentioning, even saying to myself, my own head, the number of years. I no more think of myself as being as old as I am than fly. I mean, it’s just not– I haven’t observed anything in terms of– there’s not things I don’t do now that I did before, whether it’s physical, or mental, or anything else,” Biden continued.
