Hochul uses Biden's foreign policy experience, NATO summit to defend candidacy

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul continued her staunch defense of President Joe Biden’s reelection bid as national Democrats splinter over the president’s future — this time using foreign policy and his briefing at the recent NATO summit as the backdrop for her argument.

“That’s who I want dealing with Putin and President Xi and everybody else and dealing with our challenges we have in the Middle East and with NATO. That is the person to preserve world order,” Hochul said of Biden Friday at an infrastructure announcement in Albany.

Biden on Thursday evening again pledged to remain on the Democratic ticket on 2024 in a press conference following a three-day NATO summit, even as calls mount from Democrats in Congress for him to step aside. He touted his foreign and domestic policy chops, noting that the U.S. has a framework for peace between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Biden and other leaders also formally launched a new initiative to affirm long-term support for Ukraine as it battles Russia.

“These are the challenges of our time. This is World War II-level anxiety and stress at the global level,” Hochul said Friday. “At the domestic level, there’s no recent president who can touch the accomplishments of Joe Biden. That is undisputed. But where we have to worry about, forces outside our control, is what leaders are doing across the world.”

Since Biden’s debate performance in June against Donald Trump sparked anxiety about his candidacy, Hochul has remained a steadfast supporter. It’s a contrast to her no. 2, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, who came out Wednesday saying Biden should end his campaign. On CNN Friday, He praised the president before reiterating his call for him to step aside.

“President Joe Biden is a good man, a man with great integrity and character,” he said. “It’s important for us to allow him to listen, and I believe he is going to get to a place where he understands the states, and Imagine when we get to the place where we can turn the page and focus on new leaders, new blood,”

“It’s important for us to allow him to listen, and I believe he is going to get to a place where he understands the stakes,” he said. “Imagine when we get to the place where we can turn the page and focus on new leaders, new blood.”

Hochul, without addressing any specific candidate, made her opinion clear.

“I’ll take him any day of the week over anyone else,” Hochul said.