Embattled President Biden will be the Democratic Party’s nominee in November, ex-New York Gov. David Paterson says.
Paterson made the prediction despite growing calls for the 81-year-old president to step aside over mounting concerns about his mental and physical fitness and ability to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump.
The former gov’s interview with 770 WABC radio’s “The Cats Roundtable” program, which aired Sunday morning, also was taped before the assassination attempt on former President Trump, a horrific event that some pundits believe could help tip the scales even more toward Biden’s GOP challenger.
“I think that President Biden will be the candidate and that some of the party elders like President Obama and Nancy Pelosi – it’s interesting that we haven’t heard much from Bill Clinton here — that they will sort of lead the party back together,” Paterson told the program.
“That will probably occur at the Democratic National Convention. Prediction for who’s going to win in November? I think it’s a dead heat,” the former gov added.
He acknowledged there isn’t wild enthusiasm about Biden. But Democrats will have to fall into line if Biden refuses to back down and wants to run.
“We Democrats are so afraid of what would happen if President Trump got a second four years that we’re going to vote for Biden even if we have to carry him to office,” Paterson quipped to WABC host John Catsimatidis.
“That’s not really the best reason to support someone …The election, oddly enough, is still close,” Paterson said.
The ex-governor noted Biden’s disastrous debate performance last month.
The president performed somewhat better during last week’s NATO press conference, though he still made gaffes — such as mistaking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Russian President Vladimir Putin before correcting himself.
He also later slipped and referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump.”
At least 20 Congressional Democrats have publicly called on Biden to step aside in favor of another candidate at the top of ticket, while others, including members of the Black and Hispanic Caucus have stood with him.