Monday’s interview with NBC News’ Lester Holt is Joe Biden’s chance to flip the script

The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will no doubt be the subject of the first question NBC News’ Lester Holt asks President Joe Biden during a previously scheduled interview that will air Monday evening. However, that doesn’t mean the focus will be taken off the ongoing feud within the Democratic Party and whether Biden should be its nominee against Trump.

The calls for Biden to step aside have quieted over the last couple of days, but they will return. It’s been more than two weeks since the president’s horrible debate performance against Trump; it’s time for him to flip the script, and Monday’s interview with Holt is the perfect time and place for him to do it.

Since that debate, Biden has been working to assure the country that he is up to the job. Yet, his biggest obstacle appears to be a small but growing group of Democrats who are pressuring him to bow out of the race. Some have explicitly called for him to step aside. Then there are those such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who are chumming the waters with snide comments like, “I want him to do whatever he decides to do.”

While it took far too long, Biden finally addressed the American public by doing a one-on-one interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. Since then, the president has been on the campaign trail and at long last, on Thursday, he had his first solo news conference of 2024.

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Each step of the way, Biden has managed to marginally calm fears about his fitness and his ability to win re-election. He has done this by being conciliatory and has shown a willingness to address these issues, going as far as to say, “I think it’s important that I allay fears by letting them see me out there.”

The next step is for Biden to demonstrate that he is in charge and call for an end to the brewing rebellion once and for all. While Biden carried the right tone during the ABC interview, he must mix it up in the NBC interview. If Biden wants to be re-elected, then he needs to project strength, show he is in command and, most of all, be bold. Here’s what the president should be thinking about:

1. The goal for the ABC interview was not to be defensive. It is now time to go on the offensive. Make it clear that you are running and do not need to think about it: I am the nominee, full stop. And add that by insinuating there is a decision that needs to be made — other Democrats, not you, are putting our democracy at risk.
2. If the health issue comes up, which it most certainly will, put it all out there at once. Including if you underwent a cognitive test, if are you taking any medication for a neurological condition and the last time you saw a neurologist. Providing all the information first limits follow-up questions.
3. Don’t swing for the fences at every question. In some cases, a single or double is just fine. Every question does not require a lengthy response. Plus brevity will help prevent rambling.

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Biden: ‘We must stand together’ after Trump assassination attempt July 14, 2024 / 06:20

Although Biden’s perceived frailty may connote weakness, he should use this interview to show power. If fueled with the right words, his softer voice will roar with strength. While typically Biden would use this moment for a pre-convention attack on Trump, he should now use it to express the need for unity. As he said in his address to the nation Sunday night, “While we might disagree, we are not enemies … we are fellow Americans. And we must stand together.”