Presidential Election 2024
"Almost Fell Asleep": Biden Reacts T Debate Debacle Against Trump
The debate sparked significant concern within the Democratic Party about Biden's capacity to effectively campaign and govern.
In a candid admission during a fundraising event in Virginia, President Joe Biden attributed his underwhelming performance in the recent debate against former President Donald Trump to extreme fatigue from a grueling travel schedule. The debate, held at CNN's studios in Atlanta, marked the first face-off between the two political adversaries in the 2024 election cycle and has since sparked significant concern within the Democratic Party about Biden's capacity to effectively campaign and govern.
Biden, 81, acknowledged that his decision to undertake multiple international trips in the weeks leading up to the debate was ill-advised. "I wasn't very smart for traveling around the world a couple of times before the debate," Biden remarked, according to a pool report. "I didn't listen to my staff, and I almost fell asleep on stage."
The President's remarks came after a widely criticized debate performance where he appeared lethargic and struggled to maintain coherence. Observers noted that Biden frequently lost his train of thought and had difficulty finishing sentences, raising questions about his cognitive sharpness and overall fitness for office. Initially, the White House attributed Biden's lackluster showing to a cold he was battling at the time. However, Biden's own account highlighted the impact of jet lag and exhaustion from his extensive travel schedule.
In the weeks preceding the debate, Biden embarked on a series of demanding trips, including attending the D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy, France, and the Group of 7 summit in Italy. These trips were followed by a high-profile fundraiser in Los Angeles, leaving the President with little time to rest and prepare for the debate. Despite a week-long retreat at Camp David for debate preparation, which included daily naps, Biden's performance on stage was notably impaired.
The fallout from the debate has intensified scrutiny within the Democratic Party, with some lawmakers openly questioning Biden's viability as the party's nominee. Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas became the first Democratic member of Congress to call for Biden to withdraw from the race, citing concerns about his cognitive abilities. "We need a candidate who can go toe-to-toe with Trump and reassure voters that they have the energy and clarity to lead," Doggett stated.
Biden's campaign, however, remains resolute in its determination to continue the electoral fight against Trump. Campaign officials have emphasized the President's commitment to protecting American democracy and countering the perceived threat posed by Trump's potential return to office. "President Biden is fully capable of fulfilling his duties and will continue to fight for the American people," a campaign spokesperson asserted.
The debate itself, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, covered a range of contentious issues, including abortion, tax policy, and immigration. Trump, who has faced legal challenges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, used the platform to make unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud and other key issues. Biden, despite his struggles, defended his administration's policies and criticized Trump's tax cuts and handling of social security.
The debate drew an audience of approximately 51 million viewers, underscoring the high stakes of the 2024 election. The performance has led to calls for Biden to take on a more aggressive schedule of unscripted appearances to counter fears of cognitive decline. Biden is scheduled for an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and a press conference next week to address these concerns.
As the campaign progresses, the Democratic Party faces a critical juncture. The debate debacle has not only raised questions about Biden's candidacy but also highlighted the broader challenges the party faces in uniting behind a candidate who can effectively challenge Trump. With another debate scheduled for September 10, hosted by ABC News, all eyes will be on Biden to see if he can rebound and reassure voters of his capability to lead the nation for another term.