Biden hunches over teleprompter as he offers NATO Medal of Self-Rule to launch 75-year summit

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden took a modest lesson from the teleprompter in the tone opening NATO’s annual summit on Tuesday — before awarding alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his provider’s popularity.

The 81-year-old president spoke with a few minor verbal interruptions — at one stage tempted to pronounce “Ukraine” — as congressional Democrats debated Biden’s political fate after his confusing debate efficiency on June 27.

Biden said, “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues and Putin is committed to the complete subjugation of Ukraine and the destruction of Ukraine’s democracy, the destruction of the Ukrainians, the Ukrainians, the culture of Ukraine and erasing Ukraine from the map.” Want nothing less than giving.”

“We know Putin will not stop in Ukraine, but make no mistake, Ukraine can and will stop Putin.”

Biden spoke within minutes to his closest representative, Mickey Sherrill (D-NJ), who joined the alternative regional Democrats so strongly that he ended his campaign for a second term due to concerns about his mental acuity .

The incumbent took a veiled dig at former President Donald Trump in his tone toward NATO leaders — while also quoting former President Ronald Reagan’s reasoning for withdrawing from NATO and giving aid to Ukraine.

“The American people know that most of the progress we have made over the last 75 years has come under the guise of NATO,” Biden said.

“The American people understand what would have happened if there had been no NATO: another war in Europe, American soldiers fighting and dying, dictators spreading anarchy, economic collapse, devastation… As President Reagan said, and I quote ‘If our fellow democracies are not safe, we cannot be safe.’

Trump, 78, has expressed skepticism about the $175 billion appropriated by Congress in Ukraine war investments through early 2022 and has promised to negotiate an end to the war if he defeats Biden in the November 5 election. .

Biden nominated Stoltenberg for Andrew W. He concluded his remarks by calling on the stage of Mellon Auditorium – the venue that had hosted the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949 – to present him with the best American civilian honor.

“Today, NATO is stronger, smarter, and more energetic than when you started,” Biden said. “And a billion people in Europe and North America, indeed the entire world, will reap the fruits of your labor in the form of security, opportunity and greater freedom in the years to come.”

Biden will face a test of his improvisational speaking skills at a press conference on Thursday that aides say will include at least 3 new people — press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said several times in a statement on the latest family news. Statements have talked about the development as a “big boy’s press conference”. ,

The president has so far held his prepared remarks as he tries to stave off growing moves that would cause him to step aside to allow for a genuine Democratic presidential nominee.

Biden noted in a letter to Democrats in Congress on Monday that “I would not run for re-election if I did not fully believe that I am the best person to defeat Donald Trump in 2024.”

“We have 42 days to the Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general election,” Biden wrote. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about further action only helps Trump and hurts us.”

However Democrats continued to express concern on Capitol Hill, where the president’s defenders and critics failed to reach consensus in meetings Tuesday as crowds of reporters waited outside for updates.

Sherrill noted in a comment Tuesday afternoon that “Because I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking him to announce that he will not seek re-election and a “The new candidate will help us move forward through the process.” ,

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Representative Mike Quigley (D-Anvil), Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). ) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Coll.) also issued a family statement calling for Biden to step aside.

Representatives Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Joseph Morell (D-NY) reportedly said at Sunday’s conference call that they want Biden to end his candidacy, though they have not publicly stated this. Not confirmed. The positions and Nadler noted Tuesday that he would rise through Biden now that he is not giving up the nomination.

Alternative Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Jared Yellowish of Maine and Mary Glusenkamp Perez of Washington, have publicly said they expect him to lose to Trump.

Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) reportedly expressed fear at a Democratic luncheon on Tuesday that Biden would lose to Trump. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) has reportedly drafted a yet-to-be-published letter calling on Biden to step aside, and other elected Democrats like Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey have urged Biden to step down. Has called for. Race.