The latest televised debate between incumbent US President Joe Biden and his predecessor in office, Donald Trump, resulted in 67 per cent of viewers believing the Republican outplayed the Democrat. The CNN poll was conducted via text message among 565 registered voters who said they watched the debate.
The TV station cited the opinion of Democrats who it said were “despondent over Biden’s performance.” They said they were so weak that some even privately questioned whether he should remain the party’s nominee.
Biden was on stage with a quiet, speechless voice and an open mouth, staring at one point. He struggled to finish a thought and conceded on issues like abortion, where Democrats have the advantage. It only took a few minutes for the Democrats to realise how bad it was. – noted the publication.
The debates are historic, not least because they are being held before each candidate is officially nominated at their respective conventions. The Democratic Party’s national convention will be held on 19 August in Chicago.
Biden looked and sounded awful. He’s incoherent- one Democrat tells CNN.
We’re totally screwed. It’s hard to argue with the argument that Biden shouldn’t be our candidate. – echoes another.
Democrats are still pondering Biden’s chances of beating Trump in an election that many see as existential and crucial to the survival of American democracy. However, Biden himself was determined to defeat Trump and at one point even bluntly said: “If Trump hadn’t run, I’m not sure I would have run.” If Biden withdraws his candidacy, the Democratic nomination will be decided on a vote.
Politico reports that after the debate, Democrats are thinking the unthinkable – it’s time for Biden to go. They’re in such a panic over the president’s poor performance that some are actively discussing what was previously impossible – replacing him on the slate of candidates.
Strategists close to the three potential Democratic presidential candidates have already said they were inundated with text messages during the debate. They received requests from their candidates to appear as alternatives to Biden. One strategist said at least half a dozen key donors texted “disaster” and “the party needs to do something.” One major Democratic Party donor and Biden supporter said it was time for the president to end his campaign. The interlocutor called the chief executive’s performance “the worst in history” and said Biden was so “bad that no one will pay attention to Trump’s lies.”
Biden has to go. There’s no doubt about it the donor wrote in a text message.
Meanwhile, two prominent potential contenders for the 2028 nomination – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and California Governor Gavin Newsom – told the publication that they are supporting Biden even after his speech.