Politics

‘We’re Going To Have Discussions About It’ 2024 Run, Biden Says While Addressing Midterm Results

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Diana Glebova White House Correspondent
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President Joe Biden said at a Wednesday press conference that he will discuss the issue with his family before officially announcing his 2024 presidential run.

Biden began his first press conference since January by focusing on the results of Election Day, saying that “while the press and the pundits are predicting a giant red wave, it didn’t happen.”

“While any seat lost is painful — some good Democrats didn’t win last night — Democrats had a strong night, and we lost fewer seats in the House of Representatives than any Democratic president’s first midterm election in the last 40 years, and we had the best midterm for governors since 1986,” Biden said. (RELATED: GOP Hopes Dashed On The Rocks)

He focused on what his administration has accomplished and said that in the event of a Republican Congress, he will not “support any Republican proposal that’s going to make things worse,” noting that he has the power to veto anything congressional Republicans pass.

Biden then took questions from several pre-selected reporters, saying he was given a “list” of journalists to call on.

“How do you interpret last night’s results in terms of deciding whether you want to seek another term? Is it now more likely that you will run, and what’s going to be your timeline for consideration?” Reuters’ Steve Holland asked Biden.

The president said that he intends to run, but that it’s “ultimately a family decision.”

“My intention is that I run again, but I am a great respecter of fate, and this is ultimately a family decision. I think everybody wants me to run, but we’re going to have discussions about it, and I don’t feel any hurry one way or another to make that judgment today, tomorrow, whenever, no matter what my predecessor does,” Biden said.

“My guess is it will be early next year we make that judgment,” he added, saying that he and first lady Jill Biden hope to first take a week to “sneak away” between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

NBC’s Kristen Welker pressed Biden on whether exit polls which found that over two-thirds of Americans think he should not run in 2024 will have an impact on his decision.

“It doesn’t,” Biden responded.

Welker then asked Biden if he had a message for those Americans.

“Watch me,” Biden replied.

Biden was also asked what he plans to do differently “to change people’s opinion of the direction of the country” in the next two years as he contemplates another term.

“Nothing. Our intention is to run again. That’s been our intention. Regardless of the outcome of this election,” Biden said.