Biden's Debate Performance Raises Concerns
United States President Joe Biden faced a challenging weekend following a disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump. The debate, held at CNN studios in Atlanta, Georgia, left many questioning Biden's candidacy and ability to secure a second term. Biden's weak and incoherent behavior during the debate has led to calls for him to step aside in favor of a younger candidate, just months before Election Day.
Democratic Party's Response
Top Democrats have rallied to support Biden, attempting to shift focus away from his debate performance and back onto Trump. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn have publicly defended Biden, emphasizing his past successes and blaming his poor performance on being overloaded by staff. Despite this, concerns about Biden's physical and cognitive health persist among voters and party members.
Fundraising and Future Prospects
Despite the debate fallout, Biden's campaign has managed to maintain strong fundraising efforts, raising over $33 million in the days following the event. The president's family and key supporters believe he should remain in the race, though this stance may change if his poll numbers continue to decline. Biden has vowed to keep fighting, with a strong performance at a scripted campaign event in North Carolina serving as a temporary boost to his campaign.
- Biden's debate performance has left many Democrats privately lamenting the situation and fearing a potential election loss in November. Some party leaders worry that a new nominating contest could lead to an internal civil war, potentially handing the presidency to Trump.
- Trump himself has not been free from lapses, as evidenced by a recent telephone interview where he fell silent for several seconds. This incident highlights that both candidates are prone to mistakes, though media focus remains primarily on Biden's health.
- Biden's campaign manager, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, has blamed the media for any potential dips in poll numbers, drawing comparisons to former President Barack Obama's poor debate performance in 2012. However, the situation is different, as doubts about Biden's physical and cognitive abilities continue to grow.
- A new CBS/YouGov poll conducted after the debate shows that 72% of registered voters now believe Biden does not have the mental and cognitive health to serve as president. This is a seven-point increase from before the debate, with only 28% of voters saying Biden should run for president.
