“I respect that people say, 'You're old.' But the important thing is the energy you have, and if the work you do corresponds to what anyone of any age could do. This was said by Joe Biden during an interview for the CBS network, broadcast on Sunday night, in which he spoke bluntly about the speculations about the possibilities and convenience of him running for re-election in the 2024 presidential elections, when he will be about to of turning 82 years old. He intends to introduce himself, but...
"Look at me," Biden told the show's host, Scott Pelley. "If you think I don't have the necessary energy level or mental acuity, that's one thing. But follow my schedule. Do what I'm doing. That's another thing," the US president said defiantly.
Biden reiterated that his "intention" is to run for office again, but stressed that this is "only an intention." Now, "Is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen. I am very respectful of destiny," he continued.
So it is "too early to make such a decision," he added. The right thing to do, in his opinion, is to wait at least for "this next electoral cycle, that is, the mid-term elections next November," and to mature the matter next year.
In the interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, the president was especially adamant about his and his government's intention to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion through an "unprecedented attack."
Biden had already said that the US would be involved in that defense of the island despite respect for the idea of "One China" that Washington has maintained for decades, within its policy of "strategic ambiguity." But this time the president responded with particular force to Pelley's very direct question: "So, unlike Ukraine and to be clear, would American forces, American men and women, defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion?" Biden responded emphatically: "Yes."
The leader did not hesitate to show his optimism regarding the Covid. "The pandemic is over," he declared. And while admitting that "we still have a problem" with the disease, he highlighted that "nobody wears masks anymore" and "everyone seems to be in pretty good shape."
Currently, almost 400 people die daily from Covid in the US: a significant number still, although almost eight times less than the 3,000 who died each day at the beginning of Biden's term.
Regarding the investigation against Donald Trump for having brought home 300 secret documents that put the country's spies at risk and compromised the security of the State, Biden asked himself: "How could something like this happen? How could someone be so irresponsible?
