Former President Donald Trump’s decisive victory over President Biden in the campaign’s first presidential debate opens up a key question about the 2024 campaign: will Biden be the Democratic presidential nominee in November? The uncertainty surrounding Biden’s presentation, his raspy voice, and his numerous gaffes during the debate has cast a shadow over his re-election prospects. While the debate might not have swayed many minds regarding Trump’s policies, it certainly exposed vulnerabilities in Biden’s performance.
The debate sparked numerous reactions from grassroots Democrats, with many questioning Biden’s ability to continue leading the country. While Trump ducked questions about ending the war in Ukraine, addressing the opioid crisis, and uniting a polarized nation, he appeared coherent and cogent throughout the debate, contrasting sharply with Biden’s presentation. Despite the substance of Biden’s answers on issues like abortion and NATO, his inability to speak clearly, his hesitancy in answering questions, and his overall uncertainty in choosing words and phrases overshadowed his policy stances.
The debate’s dominant takeaway, for many observers, is whether the Democratic Party can survive a Joe Biden re-election campaign. This raises the crucial question of whether Democratic leaders should consider initiating a conversation similar to the one Republican elders had with Richard Nixon in 1974, urging him to resign due to a dwindling base of support. The question now facing Democrats is whether they will address Biden’s declining popularity and consider alternative candidates.
Despite my desire to vote Democratic in November, I admit that it will be difficult for many to support the Joe Biden we saw on Thursday night. The debate exposed vulnerabilities in his campaign and raised serious questions about his ability to effectively lead the nation.
