'Only Lord Almighty Can Make Me Quit': Joe Biden Reiterates Staying In US Presidential Race

President Joe Biden has firmly stated his intent to stay in the race for re-election, despite calls from some Democrats for him to withdraw following a shaky performance at the June 27 presidential debate.

In an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, Biden said, "Look. I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, 'Joe, get out of the race,' I'd get out of the race," adding, "The Lord Almighty's not coming down."

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At 81, Biden is the oldest US president and has faced scrutiny over his mental health and age. Despite these concerns, he has repeatedly insisted he is in good health. Addressing his debate performance, Biden called it a "bad episode" and took full responsibility, saying, "I just had a bad night. I don't know why."

He noted feeling unwell before the debate but confirmed negative Covid-19 and other infection tests. "I just had a really bad cold," he said.

Biden dismissed the idea of undergoing a detailed cognitive test, asserting, "I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test - everything I do (is a test)."

He stressed that his personal doctors, who regularly assess him, would alert him if there were any serious health concerns. "Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I'm still in good shape," Biden remarked.

Reflecting on the debate, Biden admitted that former President Donald Trump's interruptions were distracting, saying, "I realised that, even when I was answering a question and they turned his mic off, he was still shouting and I let it distract me. I'm not blaming it on that. But I realised that I just wasn't in control."

Despite the setback, Biden remains confident in his ability to defeat Trump, stating, "I don't think anyone is more qualified."

As part of his efforts to reassure voters and regain momentum, Biden has been making campaign stops in key battleground states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. At a rally in Wisconsin, he reaffirmed his determination to stay in the race and win the upcoming election, declaring, "I'm running and going to win."