Biden Open to Dropping Out If Diagnosed with Serious Medical Condition

President Joe Biden stated in an interview released on Wednesday that he would consider dropping out of the presidential race if doctors diagnosed him with a “medical condition.” The 81-year-old president, who has consistently claimed to be in good health, faces mounting pressure from within his own party following a faltering debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month, which highlighted signs of cognitive impairment.

In an interview with Ed Gordon of BET News, Biden was asked if anything could convince him to reconsider his candidacy. “If I had some medical condition that emerged, if somebody, if doctors came to me and said, you got this problem and that problem,” Biden responded.

Biden acknowledged making a “serious mistake” in the debate but did not specify what the mistake was, appearing to lose his train of thought during the explanation. He reiterated his initial intention to be a transitional candidate, saying, “I said I was going to be a transitional candidate, and I thought I would be able to move on from this and pass it on to somebody else. But I didn’t anticipate things getting so, so, so divided. And quite frankly, I think the only thing age brings is a little bit of wisdom.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) became the latest Democrat to call on Biden to step aside, expressing “serious concerns” about Biden’s ability to defeat Trump. “President Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in our nation’s history,” Schiff told The Los Angeles Times. “But our nation is at a crossroads. A second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.”

Schiff urged Biden to consider passing the torch to another Democrat, emphasizing the need to secure Biden’s legacy by ensuring a new candidate can beat Trump. “I will do everything I can to help them succeed,” Schiff said. “There is only one singular goal: defeating Donald Trump. The stakes are just too high.”

As Biden navigates these challenges, the question of his health and cognitive abilities remains a focal point for both supporters and critics. The outcome of these deliberations could significantly impact the Democratic Party’s strategy heading into the 2024 election.

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