The re-election campaign for President Biden has announced that it has raised a whopping $27 million since his debate performance against former President Trump, a significant sum that comes after widespread criticism and concerns about his mental fitness. The campaign says it raised $14 million on the day of the debate and the following morning, with the first hour after the debate generating the most fundraising since the campaign’s launch in April 2023. This fundraising surge is seen as a crucial move by the Biden campaign to counter the negative narrative surrounding his performance.
Biden’s performance during the debate sparked a new round of calls from political pundits, publications, and even some Democrats for him to step aside as the party’s nominee. The president himself acknowledged his age and admitted to not being as sharp as he once was, but he emphasized his commitment to serving another term, highlighting his experience and his ability to get things done.
Top Biden allies have pushed back against the calls for him to step down, defending the president and accusing Trump of lying throughout the debate. However, the campaign is acknowledging the concerns by focusing on fundraising, which they see as a way to demonstrate continued grassroots support for Biden.
Democratic strategists see the fundraising as a way to blunt criticism and remind voters of the enthusiasm for Biden. They believe that highlighting the financial backing will help to combat the negative narrative surrounding the debate and ensure that Trump doesn’t come close to the Oval Office.
The Trump campaign, however, has downplayed the significance of the fundraising, citing its own fundraising success and Trump’s growing lead in key battleground states. They argue that the Biden campaign’s focus on fundraising is a desperate attempt to salvage a failing campaign, as they have spent significant amounts on advertising and have yet to see results.
The debate performance has undoubtedly presented a challenge for the Biden campaign, and the fundraising success is a response to those challenges. While the campaign is highlighting the financial success, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to change the narrative surrounding Biden’s performance and ultimately win him the presidency.
