Biden's Fatigue and Debate Performance
US President Joe Biden attributed his poor performance in the recent debate against Donald Trump to fatigue from his extensive international travel. Biden, who visited France and Italy in June, admitted that it was "not very smart" to have traveled across multiple time zones just before the debate. He confessed to almost falling asleep on stage and acknowledged that he did not heed his advisors' warnings.
Democratic Concerns and Calls for Withdrawal
The Democratic camp has been thrown into disarray following Biden's lackluster debate performance. Prominent figures like Julián Castro, former Minister of Housing under Obama, have suggested that Biden should retire from the race, pointing to Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential replacement. Castro asserted that another Democrat would have a better chance of defeating Trump in the upcoming election.
Trump's Own Lapses and Media Reactions
Interestingly, Biden is not the only candidate facing scrutiny for his physical condition. Donald Trump also had a lapse during a telephone interview with Corey Lewandowski, where he momentarily fell silent. This incident, however, received less media attention compared to Biden’s debate performance. The situation was humorously dissected by podcasters Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy, who mocked Trump for his incoherent response.
- Biden's international trips included attending the Allied Landing ceremonies in Normandy, France, and a G7 summit in Italy. Following these events, he engaged in a campaign trip to California before retreating to Camp David for debate preparation.
- Jared Golden, a centrist Democrat, has also voiced concerns about Biden's candidacy. In an editorial, Golden predicted that Trump would win the upcoming election and criticized the Democratic strategy of using fear tactics against Trump.
- Despite Biden's explanation for his debate performance, the incident has raised significant concerns about his ability to lead, especially given his age and the demanding nature of the presidential role.
