Sunday shows preview: Biden campaign chaos continues; Trump veepstakes in view
This week’s Sunday news shows will most likely focus on the continuing fallout from President Biden’s rocky debate performance last month and the selection of former President Trump’s running mate.
Biden, his campaign and the White House are still struggling with the blowback from his performance at last month’s presidential debate, during which he stumbled over his words and had a raspy voice. That performance resulted in increasing fears by those in Biden’s party about his age, mental fitness and ability to hold on to the presidency.
Multiple Democratic lawmakers have now called on the president to step out of the 2024 race, in both the House and the Senate. Despite the rising calls for Biden to leave the race, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who will appear on CNN’s “State of the Union” this week, has been a strong defender of the president.
Fetterman said he disagreed with his friend Sen. Peter Welch after the Vermont Democrat called on Biden to exit the race, becoming the first Senate Democrat to do so Wednesday.
“Senator Welch, I mean, he’s a good friend and he’s the nicest dude in D.C. I’ve said that on the record,” Fetterman said. “So, I actually disagree with my friend.”
At a Thursday night press conference, Biden said he believes he is “the most qualified person to run for president.”
“I believe I’m the best qualified to govern,” he added later. “And I think I’m the best qualified to win. But there are other people who could beat Trump, too. But it’s all start from scratch. And you know, we talk about money raised. We’re not doing bad.”
“So let’s start there, No. 1” he continued. “The fact is, the consideration is, that I think I’m the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again.”
As Biden and his campaign have been continually dealing with the blowback in the wake of his rough debate performance, the Republicans are gearing up for the start of the Republican National Convention which starts Monday in Milwaukee.
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said at the end of last month that at the RNC, Republicans are going to “roll out a vision for America.”
“We’re going to have a fantastic convention. We’re very, very excited about it. We’re going to have 50,000 delegates, guests and members of the media that are going to be in Milwaukee, and they’re going to see us roll out a vision for America that is going to be overwhelmingly positive,” Whatley, who will appear on this week’s “Fox News Sunday,” said at the time.
Trump has said there is a high “chance” he will announce his vice presidential pick at the convention.
“That’s probably a pretty good chance, I would say. I don’t say anything’s 100 percent, but you’re getting pretty close. I’ll be doing it in Milwaukee, we’ll be — we’re gonna have a great time,” Trump said in an interview released in May.
Allies and sources near Trump’s orbit have recently said North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) and Sens. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are seen as the most probable choices for the vice presidential slot.
Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:
NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” — Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson (D); former Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wis.).
ABC’s “This Week” — Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.); former White House chief of staff Ron Klain.
NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.); Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.); Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.); Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.); Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).
“Fox News Sunday” — Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley; Elaine Kamarck, Brookings Institution senior fellow.
Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” — Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson; Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.); Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.); Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas).