President Joe Biden's recent debate performance has become a focal point of concern and controversy within the Democratic Party, following his remarks at a campaign fundraiser where he attributed his lackluster showing to fatigue from international travel. The President's comments have reignited discussions about his fitness for office and his viability as the Democratic nominee in the upcoming election.
Speaking at a fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, Biden attempted to explain his faltering debate performance by citing his extensive travel schedule in June. "I decided to travel around the world a couple of times," Biden said, referring to his trips to Europe, including a visit to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and participation in the G7 Summit in Italy. He added, "I didn't listen to my staff...came back and nearly fell asleep on stage."
Biden's itinerary shows that he returned to the U.S. on June 15 and had nearly two weeks before the debate on June 27, raising questions about his explanation. Despite this, he reiterated that his travel schedule had left him exhausted, which affected his debate performance. "It's not an excuse but an explanation," Biden told the donors, emphasizing the critical nature of winning the upcoming election.
The White House offered a different reason for Biden's poor debate showing, attributing it to a cold, although Biden himself did not mention this during the fundraiser. This discrepancy has added to the confusion and concern among Democrats and political observers.
In the aftermath of the debate, The New York Times published a report citing "current and former officials" who expressed worries about Biden's cognitive abilities. The report mentioned that these officials had observed Biden appearing confused or losing the thread of conversations in private meetings, concerns that have only grown since the debate.
Biden's debate performance has triggered renewed scrutiny over his age and mental acuity. At a rally in North Carolina the day after the debate, Biden acknowledged his age but defended his capabilities. "Folks, I know I'm not a young man, to state the obvious," he said. "I don't debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth."
The debate debacle has also sparked discussions among Democrats about Biden's ability to continue as their nominee. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race, citing the president's inability to reassure voters during the debate and his trailing position in polls against former President Donald Trump.
Doggett's call reflects a growing unease within the party. "Instead of reassuring voters, the president failed to effectively defend his many accomplishments and expose Trump's many lies," Doggett said in a statement. This sentiment is echoed by other Democrats who are increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding Biden's viability as the nominee.
Despite the criticism, Biden's campaign has sought to project confidence and resilience. At a fundraiser at the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Biden acknowledged his debate struggles but vowed to fight harder. "I didn't have a great night, but I'm going to be fighting harder," he told attendees.
The campaign has also pointed to a strong fundraising performance in the wake of the debate, with Biden's campaign and the Democratic Party raising $33 million. Senior campaign advisers have been working to reassure donors and supporters about Biden's health and ability to carry on with his 2024 campaign.
However, some prominent Democrats remain unconvinced. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley expressed doubts about Biden's impact on down-ballot races, emphasizing the broader implications of the president's decision on the future of the party. "He clearly has to understand...that his decision not only impacts who's going to serve in the White House the next four years but who's going to serve in the Senate, who's going to serve in the House, and it will have implications for decades to come," Quigley said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in, acknowledging that concerns about Biden's performance are legitimate. "I think it's a legitimate question to say, is this an episode or is this a condition?" Pelosi said, reflecting a shift in tone among some party leaders.
