Joe Biden’s debate performance on Thursday night didn’t exactly set the world on fire. In fact, it was so underwhelming that calls for a new Democratic nominee have reached an all-time high. But don’t hold your breath waiting for Biden to step aside – his campaign is digging in its heels.
Barely 12 hours after an unimpressive and shaky debate, Team Biden was already on damage control. Faced with a barrage of criticism from left-leaning politicians and commentators, they issued a bold statement to CNN White House correspondent Kayla Tausche. The message? Biden isn’t going anywhere. “Not only does @POTUS not plan to drop out,” reported Tausche on X (formerly Twitter), “Biden remains committed to a second debate in September.”
NEW, as just reported on @CNN: Not only does @POTUS not plan to drop out, Biden remains committed to a second debate in September, an adviser tells me
— Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) June 28, 2024
This declaration comes despite numerous voices within the Democratic Party urging Biden to step aside before the national convention in August. Their reasoning is straightforward: if the party acts swiftly, they could still find a suitable alternative for the 2024 election. However, according to Biden’s advisors, there’s no change in plan. They’re banking on the second debate as a chance for Biden to redeem himself and calm the growing dissent.
By most accounts, Thursday night’s debate was a disaster for Biden. Going head-to-head against former President Donald Trump, he missed several golden opportunities to counterattack. Whether it was abortion, tariffs, or his economic track record, Biden’s responses were often rambling, mumbled, or hoarsely delivered. One particularly awkward moment came when he struggled to respond to Trump’s jabs about social safety programs, eventually claiming he “beat Medicare” after what felt like forever.
But despite the harsh reviews, Biden’s team is undeterred, scheduling another debate for September 10th. This event, hosted by ABC, will once again see Biden and Trump face off, assuming both meet the necessary criteria. It’s a risky move: if Biden stumbles again, it could be too late for the Democrats to switch to a new candidate.
The tension within the Democratic Party is palpable. According to the Daily Mail, there’s already a plan in place to oust Biden from the race if he doesn’t improve. This strategy reportedly relies on the collective intervention of top Democratic leaders. “The only people who could force him out would be Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer,” a Democratic strategist told the Daily Mail.
Even with such influential figures potentially ready to intervene, the Biden camp stands firm. David Axelrod, former Obama advisor and outspoken advocate for reconsidering Biden’s candidacy, has stressed that Team Biden must ensure an outstanding performance in the next debate. He sees it as a crucial test of the President’s readiness for another term.
So, what’s in store for the Democrats? For now, Biden’s determination suggests a campaign unwilling to back down. But with increasing pressure from within his own party and the potential for another debate debacle, things could change dramatically.
Leave a Comment