President Joe Biden's recent debate performance against Donald Trump has sparked significant concern within the Democratic Party. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre attributed Biden's poor showing to a 'bad night' and a cold, but the issue seems far from resolved. Adding to the controversy, Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett has publicly called for Biden to step aside from the re-election race.
Biden attempted to mitigate the damage by attributing his lackluster performance to fatigue from international travel. During a fundraiser in Virginia, he admitted that he wasn't 'very smart' for traveling extensively before the debate, almost falling asleep on stage. He emphasized that this was not an excuse but an explanation for his performance.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported Biden but acknowledged that concerns about his performance are legitimate. She suggested that Biden should grant interviews to serious journalists to prove his capability. As part of this effort, Biden plans to give an interview to ABC and has a series of campaign events lined up to demonstrate his fitness.
Doggett's call for Biden to withdraw from the race is unprecedented among sitting lawmakers. He argued that Biden failed to effectively defend his achievements and should make the painful decision to step aside, comparing the situation to Lyndon Johnson's decision not to seek re-election in 1968.
The Democratic Party faces significant challenges in the upcoming elections. Control of both chambers of Congress is at stake, with Democrats defending more Senate seats than Republicans. A poor performance by Biden could negatively impact Democratic candidates in key states like West Virginia, Ohio, and Montana.
Democratic governors, concerned about the implications of Biden's debate performance, have scheduled a meeting with the president. Biden plans to counteract the negative impressions by intensifying his public appearances and campaign activities, including a press conference during the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.
- Karine Jean-Pierre, during a press conference, faced numerous questions about Biden's mental acuity, including whether he suffers from dementia or a degenerative disease. She denied these claims and emphasized that the same questions should be directed at other candidates as well.
- Jean-Pierre acknowledged that the media and the American public have the right to question the president's fitness but rejected the idea that Biden should undergo cognitive tests or provide additional health information beyond the annual medical report. She believes that increased public appearances will help clear up doubts about his capabilities.
