The recent debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump has sparked intense discussions within the Democratic Party about the viability of Biden's candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. Following a performance that many found disappointing, some Democrats are privately considering the possibility of replacing Biden on the ticket. A congressional Democrat told the Wall Street Journal, 'I'm very worried,' expressing hope that 'it's not too late to replace him.' Another Democrat echoed this sentiment in the New York Times, stating, 'Parties exist to win, and the man on stage with Trump cannot win.'
Despite the internal concerns, Biden campaign spokesman Seth Schuster has firmly stated that Biden 'will not abandon' the race for the 2024 elections, as reported by The Hill. This declaration aims to quell the growing pressure from within the party for Biden to step aside.
The debate itself, held at the CNN studio in Atlanta, Georgia, covered a wide range of critical issues, including the economy, abortion, illegal immigration, and foreign policy. Biden and Trump clashed on every topic, with the economy being the first point of contention. President Biden defended his economic policies by highlighting the challenges inherited from Trump's administration, particularly the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump countered by claiming that the economy was at its peak during his tenure and accused Biden's administration of exacerbating inflation.
Illegal immigration was another heated topic, with Trump criticizing Biden for opening the southern border and causing various issues, including the influx of criminals and terrorists. Biden responded by citing recent executive actions that have effectively reduced illegal crossings by 40%, arguing that the situation is now better than when Trump left office.
On foreign policy, the candidates debated the U.S. support for Ukraine. Trump argued that European countries should bear more financial responsibility, while Biden emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine for global security and the integrity of NATO.
The candidates also clashed over women's reproductive rights. Biden vowed to restore the Roe v. Wade decision if re-elected, while Trump maintained that abortion should be decided by individual states, with exceptions for rape, incest, or to protect the mother's life.
The debate, which was conducted more calmly than their previous encounter, still featured sharp exchanges. Trump accused Biden of failing to care for veterans, while Biden retorted by calling Trump a 'sucker' and 'loser' for his past comments about fallen soldiers. Biden also attacked Trump for being a 'convicted felon,' referring to his recent legal issues, while Trump pointed to the charges against Biden's son, Hunter.
A CNN poll conducted by SSRS among debate watchers revealed that 81% of viewers felt the debate did not influence their vote. Opinions about Biden fell slightly, with only 31% viewing him favorably post-debate compared to 37% before. Conversely, Trump's favorability remained steady at 43%. The poll also indicated that 48% of viewers believed Trump addressed presidential concerns better than Biden.
- The debate's impact on the election remains uncertain, with neither candidate gaining a clear advantage. The American media has speculated that this debate could be a pivotal moment in the campaign, potentially influencing undecided voters.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the Biden-Trump debate, labeling it as an 'internal matter' of the U.S., according to the Interfax agency.
