Requested About Age, Biden Says He Is aware of ‘Extra Than the Huge Majority of Individuals’

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In his first interview since asserting that he would search a second time period, President Biden sought to downplay issues about his age by saying he was probably the most skilled particular person to have ever run for the presidency.

“I’ve acquired a hell of lots of knowledge and know greater than the overwhelming majority of individuals,” Mr. Biden informed the MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle in an interview that aired on Friday night time. “And I’m extra skilled than anyone that’s ever run for the workplace. And I believe I’ve confirmed myself to be honorable in addition to additionally efficient.”

Mr. Biden, who can be 86 on the finish of a second time period ought to he win, has in current days tried to reassure voters about his age, presenting it as an asset somewhat than a hindrance to working. Within the interview, he additionally stated that Vice President Kamala Harris “hasn’t gotten the credit score she deserves,” and he promoted her previous work as lawyer common of California and as a senator.

The wide-ranging interview confirmed a president in search of to make his case for re-election amid looming potential crises, together with a deployment of American troops to the nation’s southern border and a federal authorities that’s doubtlessly weeks away from defaulting on its debt.

Mr. Biden stated he was not but ready to invoke a clause within the 14th Modification that might compel the federal authorities to proceed issuing new debt ought to the federal government run out of money, an occasion that Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen warned this week may come as quickly as June 1. “I’ve not gotten there but,” he informed Ms. Ruhle.

Republicans are demanding main spending cuts earlier than elevating the debt restrict. However Mr. Biden has repeatedly stated that he won’t negotiate over the debt ceiling, stating that it was raised a number of instances beneath former President Donald J. Trump with out subject. In his interview, he reiterated that he was prepared to barter on federal spending — so long as it was separate from debt-ceiling negotiations.

“This isn’t your father’s Republican Celebration,” Mr. Biden stated, repeating claims he has made earlier than about extremists throughout the G.O.P. “It is a completely different, a special group. And I believe that now we have to make it clear to the American people who I’m ready to barter intimately with their price range. How a lot are you going to spend? How a lot are you going to tax? The place can we reduce?”

Mr. Biden is meant to satisfy with Republican and Democratic leaders on the White Home subsequent week to debate a path ahead. He’ll want a negotiating companion in Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who final week marshaled a invoice to lift the debt ceiling whereas slicing spending and unraveling main components of Mr. Biden’s home agenda. The laws is taken into account lifeless on arrival, nevertheless it has given Mr. McCarthy the chance to say he has performed his half.

The president stated within the interview that Mr. McCarthy was an “trustworthy man” however that he had “bought away every part” to the far-right wing of his occasion to turn out to be Home speaker.

“He’s agreed to issues that perhaps he believes, however are simply excessive,” Mr. Biden stated.

Within the interview, Mr. Biden defended his resolution to ship 1,500 troops to the border with Mexico, saying that they might not be there to “implement the regulation” however to “liberate the border brokers that should be on the border.”

He additionally stated that his son Hunter, who’s the topic of a federal investigation into his enterprise dealings, was harmless and that he didn’t suppose his son’s authorized issues would hurt his presidency.

“My son has performed nothing mistaken,” Mr. Biden stated. “I belief him. I think about him. And it impacts my presidency by making me really feel pleased with him.”

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