Biden says 'no indication of any serious condition' in ABC interview as he fights to stay in race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Joe Biden, fighting to save his endangered reelection effort Friday, said his disastrous debate performance last week was a “bad episode” and there were “no indications of any serious condition” in a highly anticipated ABC interview that was seen as a significant test of his fitness to run for office.

“I didn’t listen to my instincts in terms of preparing," Biden told ABC's George Stephanopoulos in an excerpt that aired Friday evening.

Yet Biden's rigorous efforts to course correct from his debate performance were not yet quelling internal party frustrations, with one influential Democratic senator working on a nascent push that would encourage the president to exit the race and Democrats quietly chatting about where they would go next if the president drops out — or what it would mean if he stays in.

Still, in Wisconsin, Biden was focused on proving his capacity to remain as president. When asked whether he would halt his campaign, he told reporters he was “completely ruling that out” and said he is “positive” he could serve for another four years. At a rally in front of hundreds of supporters he acknowledged his subpar debate performance but insisted, “I am running, and I'm going to win again.”