ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--- After a poor debate performance a couple weeks ago, some lawmakers have been calling for President Joe Biden to end his re-election campaign. The president, however, has said he’s staying in the race and held a press conference Thursday night.
Biden’s words and mannerisms have been under a microscope since the debate. At one point during the press conference, he misspoke regarding Vice President Kamala Harris.
"I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump for the Vice President If I did not think she would be qualified to be president," said Biden.
Dr. Leonard Cutler, a political science professor at Siena College, was asked if he believes the gaff could be detrimental to Biden’s campaign.
"For those who have specific concerns as to whether he can carry the party and win in November, yes," said Cutler. "The answer is absolutely, yes. This is another sign that you just step aside. For others who in fact support Joe Biden, they will look at the holistic approach of the hour last night."
Among those calling for Biden to end his campaign is New York Congressman Pat Ryan, who represents a swing district, and New York’s Lieutenant Governor, Antonio Delgado. Delgado’s opinion differs from Governor Kathy Hochul’s.
"Did anybody watch the press conference last night?" Hochul asked at her own press conference in Albany. "That’s who I want dealing with Putin and President Xi and everyone else dealing with the challenges we have in the Middle East and with NATO. That is the person to preserve world order."
Right now, the polls show a close race between the current president and Former President Donald Trump.
"The most important states---that's the individual polls for Joe Biden are the rust belt states. So you got Wisconsin, you got Michigan—- those are two critical states, and Pennsylvania," explained Cutler.
Cutler said without those states, Biden won’t be able to retain the presidency.
