Biden Faces Political Crisis Post-Debate Fiasco
US President Joe Biden is grappling with a political crisis following a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump. The debate, watched by 51 million viewers, has raised serious concerns about Biden's ability to continue his campaign for re-election. According to sources, Biden is acutely aware of the damage done and is contemplating his next moves carefully.
Calls for Biden's Withdrawal Grow Louder
In the aftermath of the debate, prominent Democrats, including Parliamentarian Lloyd Doggett, have called for Biden to step down. The New York Times editorial board and The Atlantic have also urged Biden to withdraw, citing his poor performance and raising doubts about his capabilities. Speculation is rife about potential replacements, with Vice-President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom among the frontrunners.
Biden's campaign is now at a critical juncture. He is scheduled for an interview on ABC News and plans to visit Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to rally support. However, the pressure is mounting, and any further missteps could be detrimental to his campaign. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates has dismissed the reports as 'absolutely false,' but the public and media scrutiny remains intense.
Trump's Legal Troubles and Biden's Counterattack
Adding to the political drama, Biden has called on the American people to 'convict' Trump in the upcoming election, following a Supreme Court decision granting Trump partial immunity from legal prosecution. Biden's televised address emphasized the need for voters to judge Trump's actions, particularly his role in the January 6 Capitol attack. However, critics argue that Biden's speech was a political maneuver aimed at distracting from his debate performance.
The Supreme Court's decision has been a double-edged sword. While it provides Trump some legal respite, it also fuels Biden's narrative of Trump being a threat to democracy. Analysts predict that the Democrats will continue to highlight Trump's legal issues as a core campaign strategy. However, this approach may also mobilize Trump's base, making the election even more contentious.
- Vice-President Kamala Harris, despite being the most obvious choice to replace Biden, faces her own challenges. Her popularity is low, with only 33% of Americans considering her qualified to be president, according to a recent poll. Governor Gavin Newsom of California is another potential candidate. Known for his strong stance on progressive issues, Newsom has become a rising star within the Democratic Party.
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania are also mentioned as possible replacements. Whitmer's leadership in a key battleground state and Shapiro's success in Pennsylvania make them strong contenders. However, both have expressed their support for Biden, emphasizing party unity ahead of the election.
- The ongoing legal battles involving Trump continue to be a focal point. Trump's partial immunity ruling by the Supreme Court has complicated the legal landscape, with many cases now likely to be delayed until after the election. This situation creates a complex dynamic, as both parties navigate the political and legal implications leading up to November.
