White House Pressed to Address Concerns About President Biden's Cognitive State

In a bid to revamp President Joe Biden's image following a lackluster debate appearance, the White House has outlined a busy schedule filled with meetings and media engagements. The administration announced plans for Biden to meet with congressional leaders, Democratic governors, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as conduct a network TV interview with George Stephanopoulos and hold a press conference in the coming days. These efforts aim to counter mounting pressure for the 81-year-old president to step aside in the 2024 race after his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, emphasized the need to move past the debate debacle, attributing Biden's struggles to a "bad night" due to a cold. Despite calls for him to bow out of the race, Biden remains resolute in his determination to continue. The upcoming series of high-profile engagements, including the TV interview and meeting with Netanyahu, are part of a strategic push to showcase Biden's capabilities and dispel doubts about his fitness for office. The media blitz also includes appearances on "Good Morning America" and "This Week," with the interview set to air on July 7 and subsequent episodes. The intensified public relations efforts come amid concerns within the Democratic Party about the impact of Biden's debate performance on his political future. By engaging in a series of high-profile interactions and meetings, the White House aims to present a more dynamic and engaged version of Biden to the public, countering perceptions of weakness and incompetence stemming from the debate.