US President Joe Biden will take on all comers in a promised press conference this morning.
The embattled Democrat has had a fortnight to forget after stumbling in a debate performance against Republican rival Donald Trump in late June.
While polls show Biden took less of a hit with voters than was anticipated, his poor showing has been roundly savaged by observers and the media, and growing calls from one-time supporters that he should vacate the race for the White House.
There has been open speculation about his acuity and ability given his age of 81 – a few years older than Trump at 78.
For his part, Biden has acknowledged his fumble, but maintained he’s the man to beat Trump in November.
Now, perhaps in an effort to prove his facilities are intact, Biden will front reporters at the White House in a free-form press conference.
It’s awkward timing for POTUS after a new gaffe this morning saw him verbally confuse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Russian leader Vladimir Putin – the man invading Zelenskyy’s country.
The timing of the presser has been pushed back to 9am-9.30am AEST.