Joe Biden faced the media Thursday night in a high-stakes press conference, addressing concerns about his presidency, re-election bid, and political future. Despite the gravity of the situation, Biden downplayed the issues, emphasizing his commitment to completing the work he started in 2021.

“If I slow down and can’t get the job done, that’s a sign I shouldn’t be doing it,” Biden stated. “But there’s no indication of that yet.” His remarks highlighted a mix of determination and potential denial regarding his current predicament.

Shortly after the press conference, several more Democratic members of Congress called for Biden to step down, joining at least a dozen others who had already done so. The big question is whether this trend will continue or if it will stabilize.

Two notable gaffes marred the event. Biden mistakenly referred to Vice-President Kamala Harris as "Vice-President Trump" and later introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin" during a NATO event. While he quickly corrected the Zelensky error, the Trump slip went unaddressed, causing visible reactions from those present.

These mistakes raise concerns among Democrats about more potential slip-ups as Biden's campaign progresses. However, Biden maintained a positive demeanor, laughing and smiling throughout the questioning. He expressed confidence in his ability to handle international leaders like Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, despite lingering hoarseness from a previous debate.

Biden reiterated that he doesn't need cognitive tests, asserting that critics would remain unsatisfied regardless of medical opinions. He expressed confidence in his ability to beat Donald Trump in the upcoming election, stating that the campaign was just beginning.

Democratic delegates, set to officially nominate Biden next month, are free to change their minds, but Biden dismissed this possibility with a playful whisper: "It's not going to happen." He mentioned he would consider stepping aside if data showed he couldn't win, but current polls indicate a tight race.

An Ipsos survey released Thursday showed Biden only one point behind his opponent, well within the margin of error. Despite the drama, support for both candidates has remained stable throughout the year.

However, polling alone won't ease the growing anxiety among Democratic officials. Reports suggest more Democratic politicians are preparing to voice their concerns, waiting until after the NATO summit to do so.

Biden faces another significant challenge on Monday with a high-profile interview with NBC’s Lester Holt. Meanwhile, reports indicate that some members of his campaign are exploring ways to encourage him to step down.

Despite these challenges, Biden made it clear that relinquishing the nomination would not be easy. The 81-year-old, who at times gripped the lectern firmly, insisted he is the "best-qualified person" to lead the country and will not step down quietly.

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