Biden tries to ease fitness concerns as Democrats debate his future

U.S. President Joe Biden sought to speak loud and passionately in brief public remarks he delivered with a teleprompter at the White House on Thursday, as he faces close scrutiny over his stamina and mental acuity after a poor debate performance.

The 81-year-old Democrat’s shaky showing at a June 27 debate with Republican rival Donald Trump has sparked questions about his ability to keep up a grueling pace of work for the next 4½ years and calls from some in his party to step aside.

Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading contender to take his place in the Nov. 5 election if Biden were to drop out, sources have said, though his allies believe he can assuage the concerns of voters and donors.