Amid attacks on Trump’s criminal history and his alleged threat to democracy, Democrats had wanted to see the president resolutely responding to critics who argue he is too old for a second term.
Many admitted that what they had instead was a stuttering performance from a candidate who, for most of the debate, sounded rough, stammered over his sentences, pulled punches, and frequently just gazed open-mouthed and perplexed.
“It’s undeniable that Joe Biden did not have a good debate,” Democratic former White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said as the match’s curtain came down on host network CNN.
David Axelrod, a senior advisor in Barack Obama’s administration, said Biden’s performance had “confirmed people’s fears” about an 81-year-old being too old for the Oval Office.
The president, who had spent days in mock debates at his Camp David retreat, was scheduled to begin the clean-up Friday with his largest event of the campaign, in the battleground state of North Carolina.
‘Sore throat’
Facing tough questions over his performance and immediate future, he told reporters he had done “well” as he stopped off at an Atlanta Waffle House with First Lady Jill Biden after coming off stage.
He added that he was croaking because of a “sore throat” and that, in any case, it is “hard to debate a liar.”
Although Biden managed to pin down Trump on abortion rights and his role in the violence that marred the 2021 handover, he waited bafflingly long — almost 45 minutes — to bring up Trump’s felony convictions and other legal woes in any detail. He spoke under his breath and appeared at times to lose focus, pausing for several seconds after stumbling in the opening stages.
Trump’s performance was far from accomplished — his verbal fusillades were littered with falsehoods and he dodged several times when asked what he would do about the opioid crisis ravaging middle-class families.
He also refused to commit to accepting the results of November’s election, playing into the narrative that he has little respect for democracy or the rule of law.
CNN reported that while Biden made nine false or misleading statements, Trump made a staggering 30, including “egregious” falsehoods on abortion, the US Capitol insurrection, health care, and NATO.
But the Republican — who is countering Biden’s rally with an appearance of his own in Virginia on Friday — largely avoided the rhetorical landmines that exploded under Biden.
Gentle Reminder: Be careful how you use your authority and influence, be wise, and treat others with respect.
Chychy Jonas
Gentle Reminder: Be careful how you use your authority and influence, be wise, and treat others with respect.
Chychy Jonas
