Biden in Madison: 'I Will Beat Him Again in 2020 [2024]' and to ABC: 'If the Lord Almighty Came Down' (July 5, 2024)

Eight days after his debate with Donald Trump, President Joe Biden told a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, that he was not going anywhere. “Well, let me say this as clearly as I can: I’m staying in the race. I’ll beat Donald Trump. I will beat him again in 2020 [2024; White House correction],” he said [1].

He caught it a moment later. “Well, by the way, we’re going to do it again in 2024,” Biden said [1].

The video above shows part of the July 5, 2024, rally. Quotes are from the official transcripts published by the American Presidency Project [1][2][3].

”I Can’t Say It Was My Best Performance”

Biden opened with the debate. “Now, you probably heard, we had a little debate last week. I can’t say it was my best performance,” he said [1].

“But ever since then, there’s been a lot of speculation,” he said. “Well, here’s my answer: I am running and going to win again.” He told the crowd that “some folks don’t seem to care who you voted for—well, guess what? They’re trying to push me out of the race” [1].

“I’m not letting one 90-minute debate wipe out 3½ years of work,” Biden said. He also joked about his age: “I know I look 40” [1].

”$5 Billion—Trillion—Trillion, Not Billion”

Biden went after Trump’s tax plans and stumbled on the number. “Now he has announced he wants another $5 billion—trillion—trillion, not billion—$5 trillion tax cut after already leaving the largest deficit,” he said [1].

”It Was a Bad Episode”

That day, ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos asked Biden the question Nancy Pelosi had raised: “Was this a bad episode or the sign of a more serious condition?” [3]

“It was a bad episode. Ah, No indicated any serious condition. I was exhausted. I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing and — and I had a bad night,” Biden said [3].

Stephanopoulos noted that Biden had come home from Europe “about 11 or 12 days before the debate” and “Spent six days in Camp David.” Biden answered: “Because I was sick, I was feelin’ terrible” [3].

”A Cognitive Test Every Single Day”

“Have you had a full neurological and cognitive evaluation?” Stephanopoulos asked. “I’ve had a —I get a full neurological test every day—with me,” Biden said [3].

Pressed on whether a specialist had examined him, he said: “No. No one said I had to. No one said—they said I’m good.” Asked whether he would take an independent evaluation and release the results, Biden said: “Look, I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test. Everything I do” [3].

”If the Lord Almighty Came Down”

“If you can be convinced that you cannot defeat Donald Trump, will you stand down?” Stephanopoulos asked. “Well, it depends on whether the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that,” Biden said, laughing [3].

Later he repeated it: “Look. I mean, if the Lord Almighty came down and said, ‘Joe, get outta the race,’ I’d get outta the race. The Lord Almighty’s not comin’ down” [3].

He said party leaders were behind him. “They all said I should stay in the race. Stay in the race. No one said—none of the people said I should leave the race,” Biden said [3].

”Completely Ruling That Out”

On the tarmac in Madison, a reporter asked: “Are you dropping out of the race or are you completely ruling that out?” “Completely ruling that out,” Biden said [2].

When a reporter noted that his win over Trump “was 4 years ago,” Biden pushed back on the press. “You were wrong about 2020. You were wrong about 2022 that we were going to get wiped out. Remember the ‘red wave’?” he said [2].

He said Democratic governors had told him to stay in. Asked about Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, he said: “Maura Healey didn’t say anything when I was in the room” [2]. Would he debate Trump again? “I’m committing now. Absolutely, whether he’s in or not,” Biden said. On his campaign, he added: “Any mistake made is my fault” [2].

“Are you confident you can serve another 4 years?” another asked. “I’m positive,” Biden said [2]. Asked about a succession plan, he answered: “But what do I need a succession plan for now?” [2]

By the Numbers

8 days: from the debate to the rally [1].
3½ years: the work Biden said one debate would not wipe out [1].
11 or 12 days: how long Biden had been home from Europe before the debate, per Stephanopoulos [3].
20: members of Congress Biden said he had spoken with, “at least” [2].
16 days: from the rally to Biden’s exit from the race [4].

What Happened Next

Biden got out anyway. On July 21, 2024, Biden wrote: “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term” [4].

For the debate, see HYGO News’ page on “we finally beat Medicare”, and for the White House’s answers that week, the page on the July 3 briefing.