Following President Joe Biden's widely criticized debate performance last week, his family has reportedly urged him to remain in the presidential race, deflecting blame onto his advisers. The president spent the weekend at Camp David with his family, where discussions about his political future took center stage.
Biden's performance during the debate, marked by moments of hesitation and difficulty in completing sentences, has intensified calls from pundits, media, and voters for him to step aside. However, his family remains convinced that he is still the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump.
According to the New York Times, the president's wife, children, and grandchildren were present at Camp David and collectively reassured him of their support. They acknowledged his poor performance but maintained that he is the most capable person to take on Trump in the upcoming election. The Associated Press highlighted that the strongest voices advocating for Biden to stay in the race were his wife, Jill Biden, and his son, Hunter Biden.
During the debate, Biden's shaky delivery and inability to effectively counter Trump's falsehoods raised concerns about his ability to continue his campaign. Critics pointed to the intense preparation schedule, which had Biden sequestered at Camp David for six days prior to the debate. John Morgan, a major Biden fundraiser, stated, "It is my belief that he was over-coached, over-practiced."
Internal dissatisfaction with the debate preparation has surfaced, with some pointing fingers at senior advisers like Anita Dunn, Bob Bauer, and Ron Klain. The family's complaints included criticisms that Biden was not prepared to pivot to a more aggressive stance and was overly focused on defending his record rather than presenting a vision for a second term.
Biden's debate performance has led to a spike in the number of Democrats who believe he should not run for president, rising from 36% in February to 46% post-debate, according to a CBS poll. Biden's approval ratings, which have been waning since he took office, are now under increased scrutiny, especially regarding his age and his handling of various crises.
Despite the growing concerns, key Democrats have rallied to Biden's defense. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described the debate as "nothing more than a setup for a comeback," while Senator Raphael Warnock related the experience to delivering a poor sermon but continuing to serve the people faithfully.
However, not all Democrats are unified in their support. Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin acknowledged ongoing discussions within the party about potentially nominating a different candidate for 2024. "There are very honest and serious and rigorous conversations taking place at every level of our party," Raskin said on MSNBC.
The meeting at Camp David also provided an opportunity for the Biden family to discuss ways to reassure Democrats about the president's decision to stay in the race. The president has been actively seeking feedback from his confidants, including historian Jon Meacham, whom he spoke with on Saturday.
Further adding to the internal discord, Biden's campaign staff have expressed frustration with CNN over the debate's management, criticizing the moderators for not fact-checking Trump more rigorously and mishandling technical aspects like camera placements and makeup.
Despite the criticism, Biden's family continues to show public and private support. His granddaughters Finnegan and Natalie Biden accompanied him to fundraising events in New York and New Jersey. The family had long planned to spend the weekend together at Camp David for a family portrait session with photographer Annie Leibovitz, which also served as a timely gathering to address the campaign's challenges.
Biden's debate performance has underscored long-standing concerns about his age, with a CBS News/YouGov poll showing that 72% of registered voters doubt his mental and cognitive health to serve as president. This represents a significant increase from 65% earlier in the month. The president's age has been a persistent issue, with many voters questioning his ability to serve effectively in a second term.
At a fundraiser in Greenwich Village, Jill Biden recounted a conversation with the president post-debate. "Joe, I don't know what happened. I didn't feel that great," he said. Jill Biden responded, "We are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you've been president."
