Biden says he is going to ‘complete the job’ despite calls to bow out

President Joe Biden used his highly anticipated news conference on Thursday to deliver a forceful defence of his foreign and domestic policies.

He also batted away questions about his ability to serve another four years even as he flubbed a reference to Donald Trump in one of his first answers.

“I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” Mr Biden said as he insisted his support among the electorate was strong and he would stay in the race and would win.

Fumbles notwithstanding, the president pushed back at every suggestion that he was slowing down or showing noticeable signs of decline, or that he was not in command of the job.

But he was facing a growing chorus of calls from lawmakers, celebrities and other prominent Democrats to step aside from the 2024 race.

“My schedule has been full bore,” he declared. “So if I slow down and I can’t get the job done, that’s a sign that I shouldn’t be doing it. But there’s no indication of that yet — none.”