Biden says to run for president in 2024 if in good health

Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he will run for reelection in 2024 if he is in good health at the time.

“Yes,” he said when asked by host David Muir if he plans to run for reelection in an interview aired Wednesday on ABC’s World News Tonight.

“But look, I’m a great respecter of fate. Fate has intervened in my life many, many times. If I’m in the health I’m in now, if I’m in good health, then in fact, I would run again,” he said.

Muir asked Biden whether he still wants to run if his opponent turns out to be former President Donald Trump again.

“You’re trying to tempt me now,” Biden answered with a laughter. “Sure. Why would I not run against Donald Trump for the nominee? That’ll increase the prospect of running.”

Amid the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of momentum in the legislative process of his sweeping economic agenda, Biden’s approval ratings have largely been on a downward trend since the summer, recently stabilizing in the 42 percent to 43 percent range, data from polling site FiveThirtyEight showed.

The president’s sagging popularity has stoked speculations over whether he’ll seek another four-year term in the 2024 presidential election. He’ll be approaching 82 years of age on Election Day 2024.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, in an effort to quell the rumors, confirmed in late November that Biden will run in 2024. “That’s his intention,” she told reporters then.

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Xinhua