According to the broadcaster that hosted the debate, Biden appeared to be in trouble from the start, perhaps due to a cold. “He seemed a little disoriented. He got stronger as the debate went on. But by that point, I think there was panic already,” said David Axelrod
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President Joe Biden’s performance during the live TV debate with Donald Trump has set off alarm bells in the Democratic establishment, leading some leaders to question whether he is the right candidate ahead of the November elections. “He seemed a little disoriented. It got louder as the debate went on. But by then, I think the panic was already setting in,” said David Axelrod, a former Barack Obama campaign strategist and political commentator. of CNN.
The question that many people ask themselves
Axelrod also gave voice to a conversation among many Democrats: “There will be a debate about whether it should continue.” Rumors about possible replacements will probably start again immediately, from California governor Gavin Newsom to the eternal suggestion of Michelle Obama. But as Axelrod reminds us, only Biden can decide to take a step back. From the beginning of the debate, the president appeared to have difficulty with his voice. Biden cleared his throat and coughed several times, a condition that, according to several sources cited by CNN, was caused by a cold.
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Biden’s hesitations
As the station noted, Biden often stared blankly and gaped as Trump spoke. He occasionally struggled to finish his points, giving ground on issues like abortion where Democrats have an edge.
Doubts among Democrats are growing
“It’s hard to argue that Biden should be our nominee,” said a Democratic operative who has worked on campaigns at all levels for more than a decade. “The main thing he had to prove to the American people was that he had the energy and the stamina. And he didn’t,” said Kate Bedingfield, a former White House communications director who has been with Biden since he was vice president.
