Prior to the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Democrats advised President Joe Biden to “be yourself.”
This sentiment was echoed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate candidate Lisa Blunt Rochester from Biden’s home state of Delaware, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who remarked to The Independent that people should consider what former president Donald Trump needed to do to appear “barely cogent.”
However, Democrats became concerned after Biden’s performance on Thursday evening in Atlanta.
Throughout the night, Biden frequently interrupted himself, his voice sounding hoarse and strained. This served as a stark reminder that Democrats had nominated not only the oldest presidential candidate in history but also someone whose frequent verbal stumbles and declining memory have been scrutinized, including in a special counsel report.
Biden has consistently lagged behind Trump in the polls, with many voters citing his advanced age as a reason he shouldn’t run again. The decision to challenge Trump to a debate and discard the usual debate schedule was intended to demonstrate Biden’s capability and willingness to confront Trump directly.
However, as soon as he began his opening remarks, Biden appeared to confirm voters’ worst fears.
“Any Democrat who is not in panic mode is the stupidest person in America right now,” Patrick Murray, the director of Monmouth University’s polling, posted on X.
At one point, after Biden meandered throughout an answer about immigration, Trump said “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence – and I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
Even Vice President Kamala Harris, ostensibly his biggest apologist, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Biden faltered at the beginning.
“Yes, it was a slow start,” she said. “That’s obvious to everyone. I’m not going to debate that point. I’m talking about the choice in November.”
Harris also made the rounds defending Biden, going on MSNBC to defend the president.
Meanwhile, one Democratic strategist did not mince words.
“Horrible,” they told The Independent. “Need to have Harris take over. Cleanest option.”
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Credit – The Independent