Joe Biden’s reelection campaign faced a major setback after a lackluster debate performance that left allies concerned and opponents jubilant.
Supporters had hoped for a strong rebuttal from Biden against criticisms of his age and attacks on Trump’s record, but instead witnessed a faltering display marked by hoarseness, stumbling over words, and apparent confusion.
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Democratic figures like former White House communications chief Kate Bedingfield acknowledged Biden’s poor showing, describing it as unfavorable.
David Axelrod, a senior advisor under Obama, echoed concerns about Biden’s age affecting his performance on the national stage.
Following the debate, Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, attributed his performance issues to a sore throat and criticized Trump’s debate tactics.
Despite managing to raise key issues such as abortion rights and Trump’s legal troubles, Biden was criticized for delays and subdued responses during critical moments.
In contrast, Trump’s performance, although riddled with falsehoods and evasions, managed to avoid significant pitfalls that marred Biden’s appearance.
As criticism mounted within Democratic circles, speculation emerged about potential alternatives to Biden before the party’s convention.
Republican commentators seized on Biden’s struggles, with figures like Keith Nahigian labeling it as one of the worst debate performances witnessed and suggesting it could severely impact Biden’s presidency aspirations.
As both campaigns regrouped after the debate, Biden planned to address his supporters in North Carolina while Trump countered with his own appearance in Virginia, setting the stage for continued political maneuvering in the lead-up to November’s election.
