Klain says Biden was ‘absolutely up to the job’ despite withdrawal from race

Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain on Wednesday pushed back on reports President Biden is not “up for the job” of the presidency, touting his work as commander in chief despite his withdrawal from the 2024 race last month.

Klain, speaking with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, acknowledged Biden had a poor debate performance, but he argued it did not directly translate into his ability to work from the Oval Office.

“I don’t deny that it was a bad debate performance, that’s different than whether or not the president is up to the job,” Klain said. “He’s clearly up to the job. He’s doing it every day. He’s doing it successfully.”

Klain pointed to the president’s hourlong press conference after the NATO summit last month, stating some called it “one of the best foreign policy press conferences” of any president.

The high-stakes news conference was two weeks after Biden’s lackluster debate performance against former President Trump, during which his speech frequently halted and he appeared to mix up his thoughts. The performance sparked concerns over his ability to beat Trump and carry out a second term.

Biden, during the press conference, made a gaffe, saying “Vice President Trump” when he meant to say “Vice President Harris.” The moment instantly went viral and was seized by the Trump campaign to attack his mental acuity.

Klain, long a part of Biden’s inner circle, was vocally supportive of Biden as he faced mounting pressure to step out of the race. He criticized donors who pulled their support of the president following the debate.

“I think it was unfortunate because I think that the president had won the nomination fair and square. Fourteen million people went and voted for him, and the vice president as vice president,” Klain said.

Klain maintained Biden had a cold and was tired from overseas travel, and he told Cooper he had “done well” int the debate practices, leading his team to expect a good performance.

Biden “expected a better performance, it didn’t happen. And then people reacted to that,” he said.

Klain said Biden made “the right decision” to withdraw and endorse Harris, who quickly consolidated Democratic support and became the party’s official presidential nominee earlier this month.

“And it’s been a very successful candidacy, as it should be. She is extremely experienced,” he said of Harris, adding, “She’s known by world leaders. She’s well regarded on the world stage. And here at home, she has been fighting for freedom and economic justice for all Americans for these — as a senator, as a state attorney general, and now as vice president.”