Strong Moments for Biden Despite Criticism
Axelrod also echoed a sentiment shared by many Democrats on Thursday night: “There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”
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Despite a rough beginning, campaign and party officials highlighted Biden’s strong moments, such as his response to former President Donald Trump regarding the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, his remarks on climate change, and his rebuttal of Trump’s reported derogatory comments about veterans.
“Slow start, but strong finish”
Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged Biden’s slow start.
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“What we saw tonight is the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all the issues that matter to the American people. Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish. And what became very clear through the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people – on substance, on policy, on performance,” Harris stated in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Substance Over Style
Pressed further on Biden’s performance, Harris defended him, emphasizing the importance of substance over style in the election.
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“It was a slow start. That’s obvious to everyone. I’m not going to debate that point,” Harris admitted.
Oldest President in U.S. History
Biden’s age has been a recurring issue since his 2019 campaign launch. At 81, he is the oldest president in history and would be 86 at the end of a potential second term.
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The debate presented a crucial opportunity for Biden to demonstrate his vitality, but reactions ranged from concern to panic among Democrats regarding his vulnerability.
Cold and Acid Reflux Affected Biden’s Performance
From the outset, Biden seemed to struggle with his voice, frequently clearing his throat or coughing, which his doctor attributes to acid reflux. Additionally, Biden has been battling a cold, multiple sources informed CNN.
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Biden dismissed concerns about his debate performance, telling reporters at a Waffle House after the debate, “I think we did well.”
Trump’s False Claims
When questioned about calls for him to step down and his debate performance concerns, Biden criticized Trump, saying, “No, it’s hard to debate a liar.”
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Both Biden and Trump made false and misleading claims during CNN’s debate, but Trump did so more frequently, just as in their 2020 debates, with over 30 false claims.
Alternative Democrats
No serious Democratic challengers have emerged to contest Biden, meaning he would need to step aside for another nominee to be chosen. If Biden withdrew, the nomination would be decided at the convention.
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Democrats speculated on possible replacements: “If I was Gavin (Newsom) or Gretchen (Whitmer), I’d be making calls tonight,” one said.
“I will never turn by back on President Biden”
After the debate, Newsom rejected calls for Biden to be replaced.
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“I will never turn my back on President Biden. Never turn my back on President Biden, I don’t know a Democrat in my party that would do so,” he asserted.
Biden’s Energy Level Lacking
“Disaster,” one lawmaker told CNN. “Trump is coming off as reasonable even if he’s lying 60 miles per hour. Biden is unintelligible.”
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Kate Bedingfield, former Biden White House communications director and 2020 deputy campaign manager, described the debate as an “atypically bad performance” for Biden, stating, “His biggest issue that he had to prove to the American people was that he had the energy and the stamina. And he didn’t do that.”
Offense vs. Defense
Democratic lawmakers watching the debate were alarmed by Biden’s lack of assertiveness against Trump’s falsehoods and his unclear articulation of his vision and achievements.
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One Democratic congressman at a watch party on Capitol Hill described the reaction when Biden appeared to lose his train of thought as shock, noting a desire to “jump off a bridge.” Lawmakers felt Trump seemed youthful while Biden appeared old, with Trump playing offense and Biden on defense.
Biden’s Chance for Redemption
“I think Joe is doing better than he did in the first 15 minutes, and Trump is just lying his way through the debate. But I wish Joe was a lot stronger punching back,” one lawmaker said during the debate.
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Biden’s advisors had hoped the debate would show a fuller picture of Biden beyond the brief clips that often portray him as weak. Now, there is serious concern that his lapse in thought will become one of those viral clips.