Biden aims to make case for leadership

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed NATO leaders to Washington on Tuesday by celebrating their unity against Russia’s Ukraine aggression and underscoring America’s ironclad commitment to the alliance under his watch — a message that seemed aimed at bucking up his own wobbly Democrat supporters as much as allies confronting the prospect of a return to the White House of NATO skeptic Donald Trump.

The White House hopes to demonstrate that Joe Biden still has what it takes during a busy few days of formal summit meetings, sideline chats with leaders, long diplomatic dinners and and a summitending news conference.

Biden has been straining to persuade U.S. voters and donors that he’s ready for re-election after a stumbling debate performance against Trump. He’s been making his case on the campaign trail, in a defiant letter to Democratic lawmakers and now at the NATO summit that he’s still up for four more grinding years in the White House.

“Today, NATO is more powerful than ever — 32 nations strong, Biden said as he welcomed leaders at an evening event to mark the 75th anniversary of the alliance. “It’s good we’re stronger than ever because this moment in history calls for our collective strength,” he declared head up and voice strong.