Democrats are reeling after Joe Biden’s disappointing performance in the debate, prompting calls for transparency regarding his mental fitness and even suggestions for him to withdraw from the election. Concerns about the 81-year-old’s capabilities have grown following his stumbling and difficulty maintaining coherence during the televised showdown with Donald Trump.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett has become the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly urge Biden to step aside, expressing hope that the president would make the tough decision to withdraw. Nancy Pelosi, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, acknowledged it was reasonable to question whether Biden’s debate performance indicated deeper issues rather than being an isolated incident.
Since the debate, Biden has not participated in live interviews or press conferences, avoiding unscripted interactions under pressure. However, ABC News announced an upcoming interview with him, with initial clips to be released on Friday.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the debate was a challenging moment for Biden but emphasized his resilience in bouncing back from adversity. She noted that Biden’s track record spoke for itself and dismissed queries about his need for a cognitive test.
The polling numbers between Biden and Trump have remained extremely close for months, with Trump holding a slight edge in crucial swing states. Biden had hoped that an early debate would energize his campaign, but instead, it appears to have backfired.
Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse described himself as “pretty horrified” by Biden’s performance during the CNN debate, which drew over 50 million viewers. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Jared Golden acknowledged Biden’s lackluster showing but expressed his acceptance of Trump winning the election, believing in the resilience of US democracy.
Despite concerns about Biden’s mental sharpness, the White House has brushed off these worries in the face of criticism. Biden’s campaign has criticized detractors, including former Obama staffers, who have suggested he should withdraw from the race.
Senator Peter Welch pointed out Biden’s visibly slowed pace over the past year, noting changes in his travel arrangements and public appearances. Biden, known for occasional gaffes, has not held a lengthy press conference since January 2022 and spends most weekends at his homes in Delaware with no official schedule.
During a recent visit to France, Biden limited public appearances, opting to remain at his hotel for an entire day after arriving from the airport.
