President Joe Biden’s allies are scrambling Friday to contain the damage caused by his poor debate performance with Republican rival Donald Trump, as some Democrats consider whether they could replace him as their running mate. the US election.
Biden’s stumbles and occasionally confusing answers in the debate CNN Thursday night heightened voter concerns that the 81-year-old incumbent may not be in a position to serve another four-year term.
“I would be lying to you if I said I thought it was a great debate,” Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern told reporters. Asked if it was time for the party to consider another candidate, he replied: “I haven’t reached any conclusion yet.”
Biden, the oldest U.S. president to hold the office, faced only token opposition during the party’s months-long nominating contest and secured enough support to secure his spot as the Democratic nominee for the Nov. 5 election.
Former President Trump, 78, also outperformed his intra-party rivals earlier this year, setting the stage for a long and bitter electoral contest.
A Biden campaign financier, who requested anonymity, called his performance “disqualifying” and predicted that some Democrats would resume calls for him to step aside.
That would give the party time to choose another candidate at its national convention, which begins Aug. 19.
Democratic officials downplayed that possibility. “That’s not likely to happen,” Biden campaign co-manager Mitch Landrieu told CNN.
“Bad debate”
California Governor Gavin Newsom — who could be an alternative Democratic leader — rejected the idea that Biden could be replaced.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, another possible replacement, urged Democrats to stop worrying.
“Joe Biden had a bad debate, sure, but Donald Trump was a bad president,” Shapiro said.
Interviews with undecided voters confirmed it was a bad night for Biden. They described her display as weak, shameful and difficult to watch.
Trump at times during the debate highlighted Biden’s confusing responses, saying during a conversation about the U.S. southern border: “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I also don’t believe he knows what he said.”
The Trump campaign released a video on Friday highlighting Biden’s stumbles. An aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the debate would help them compete in Democratic-leaning states such as Virginia and Minnesota.
Questions about Trump’s fitness for office have also arisen over his conviction last month in New York for covering up secret payments to a porn star, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his chaotic presidency.
But despite a series of lies and diversions from Trump during the debate, the focus afterward was squarely on Biden.
Share:
