Daywatch: Joe Biden says he’s not running for reelection for his legacy

Good morning, Chicago.

President Joe Biden’s ability to run for reelection faced crucial tests yesterday as he prepared for questions at a highly anticipated press conference and his team met privately with skeptical senators on Capitol Hill.

He forcefully declared he would stay in the race and would win. “I’m not in this for my legacy. I’m in this to complete the job I started,” Biden said as he insisted his support among the electorate was strong.

More House Democrats called for him to exit the race — including a second from Illinois — and he made a notable flub ahead of the press conference.

In announcing a compact that would bring together NATO countries to support Ukraine, Biden referred to the nation’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” to audible gasps in the room. He quickly returned to the microphone: “President Putin – he’s going to beat President Putin … President Zelenskyy,” Biden said.

During the press conference, he mixed up Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, saying, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be Vice President if she wasn’t qualified.”

Fumbles notwithstanding, the president pushed back at every suggestion that was slowing down or showing noticeable signs of decline, or that he was not in command of the job. But he was facing a growing chorus of calls from lawmakers, celebrities and other prominent Democrats to step aside from the 2024 race.

Here are some key takeaways from Biden’s news conference.

And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

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