The recent shaky debate performance of US President Joe Biden has raised concerns among Democratic officials, political operatives, and donors, triggering fresh questions about his candidacy and ability to secure a re-election in November. Biden, 81, acknowledged his age and health challenges during a rally in North Carolina, where he reassured supporters that he can still do the job effectively. However, critics, including his Republican rival Donald Trump, have questioned his competence and performance on the debate stage. The debate, viewed by millions, highlighted verbal blanks, a hoarse voice, and challenging answers from Biden, leading to panic among some Democrats who fear that he may not be the strongest candidate to face Trump in the upcoming election.
The Democratic party, including senior officials and allies of Biden, defended his performance and campaign strategy, emphasizing that bad debate nights happen and that the election is a choice between someone who fights for ordinary folks and someone who only cares about himself. Despite calls for Biden to step down as a candidate, his campaign remains confident in his ability to defeat Trump once again, highlighting his past victory over the former president and the support he continues to receive from donors.
While the concerns over Biden’s age and performance persist, his campaign efforts to maintain momentum, such as raising $14m from recent fundraisers and meeting with donors in key locations like Manhattan and the Hamptons, indicate a strong determination to push forward. It remains to be seen how Biden’s team will navigate the aftermath of the shaky debate and address the doubts surrounding his candidacy. The impact of Biden’s debate performance and campaign strategy on the upcoming election will be closely watched as the race between him and Trump intensifies in the coming weeks.
