Biden's Struggles in the First TV Debate
President Joe Biden's weak performance in the first TV debate against Donald Trump has become a major talking point. Biden, who is 81 years old, attributed his poor showing to fatigue from extensive international travel. He admitted that it was not wise to "travel around the world several times" right before the debate, a decision he made against the advice of his staff. This led to him almost falling asleep on stage, as he explained during a fundraising event in Virginia.
During the debate, Biden spoke in a hoarse voice and frequently got tangled up in his wording, leaving sentences unfinished. This performance has raised concerns about his mental sharpness, with senior officials noting that he has seemed more confused in recent months, often losing his train of thought in conversations.
Polls Reflect Biden's Declining Popularity
The aftermath of the debate has been reflected in the polls, which show a significant lead for Donald Trump. According to a survey by AtlasIntel, Trump is ahead by more than five percent, with 45.5 percent of potential voters supporting him compared to Biden's 40.3 percent. This poll, conducted between June 26 and 28, included 1,634 potential voters, many of whom likely watched the debate on June 27.
One of the most concerning aspects for Biden is his loss of support among young voters. In the 18-29 age group, 41.6 percent indicated they would vote for Trump, while only 27 percent supported Biden. Historically, Democrats have performed well with young voters, making this shift particularly alarming.
Biden did manage to secure a small lead among voters aged 45 to 64, with 47.7 percent supporting him compared to Trump's 45.1 percent. However, the overall trend shows a decline in Biden's popularity. A CNN poll conducted after the debate revealed that only 31 percent of 565 registered voters had a positive opinion of Biden, down from 37 percent before the debate.
Another poll by CBS News and YouGov showed a decrease in support for Biden's re-election campaign. Of the 1,130 registered voters surveyed, only 28 percent believed Biden should run again, a drop from 37 percent in February. Among registered Democrats, support fell from 64 percent to 54 percent after the debate.
The New York Times reported that Biden's mental sharpness has been a concern for some time. The president has been noted for forgetting names, mixing up facts, and losing his train of thought, especially when tired or in large crowds. His recent grueling travel schedule likely exacerbated these issues, leading to a reduction in his preparation time for the debate.
Despite these concerns, the White House maintains that Biden is in excellent condition and that his debate performance was an anomaly. However, the ongoing scrutiny of his mental acuity and the declining poll numbers suggest that Biden's campaign has significant challenges ahead.
- Biden's team had to adjust his preparation schedule for the debate, cutting back planned preparation by two days to allow him to rest. Preparations, which lasted six days, did not begin until 11 a.m., and Biden was given time for a lunch break.
- In the days following the debate, aides and foreign officials described Biden as being in good shape, alert, coherent, and capable of managing complex discussions and crises. However, many have noted that he is not the same person he was three and a half years ago when he took office.
- The White House regularly publishes redacted transcripts of Biden's comments, which often show him mixing up places, people, or dates. This has further fueled concerns about his mental sharpness and ability to lead effectively.
- The concern surrounding Biden's condition is increasing, with some claiming a significant decline in his performance. On the other hand, the White House continues to assert that the president is in excellent condition and that his appearance in the debate was unusual.
