In the wake of last Thursday’s debate against Donald Trump, President Joe Biden confided to a close ally that he recognizes his campaign’s precarious position. Biden acknowledged that his chances of recovery hinge on proving his capabilities to the American public in the coming days.
On July 3 the anonymous ally, who had spoken with Biden within the past 24 hours, highlighted the urgency, stating, “He knows if he has two more events like that, we’re in a different place,” reflecting the high stakes for Biden’s re-election bid.
President Biden faces a steep uphill battle. The 81-year-old incumbent stumbled through several responses, causing widespread concern within the Democratic Party about his viability as a candidate.
During the debate, Biden appeared disoriented at times, even making the notable gaffe, “We finally beat Medicare,” which Trump immediately pounced on. The fallout has been swift and intense. A CNN flash poll indicated that 67% of viewers believed Trump won the debate, while only 33% thought Biden performed better. Additionally, only 14% of those polled expressed confidence in Biden’s ability to lead the country. This sentiment is echoed by many within the Democratic Party, with some members urging Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, a prominent Democrat, acknowledged the president’s rough night but insisted Biden would not drop out of the race. “Joe Biden is not going to take himself out of this race, nor should he,” Moore stated on CBS News. Meanwhile, other high-profile Democrats like Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have rallied behind Biden, urging the party to focus on his record rather than one poor debate performance.
Behind the scenes, however, there is palpable anxiety. Reports from anonymous sources within the Democratic Party reveal a sense of panic, with some strategists and donors calling for Biden to step aside in favor of a younger candidate. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod noted, “There are gonna be discussions about whether he should continue.”
The health and cognitive fitness of the president has also been thrust into the spotlight. Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist, speculated that Biden’s behavior might be indicative of vascular dementia, a condition that affects memory and reasoning due to impaired blood flow to the brain. Others, like geriatric psychology specialist Robert Howard, suggested Biden’s symptoms align more closely with Parkinson’s disease, noting sporadic fluctuations in his cognitive performance. Neither of these experts has done an in-person medical examination of the president.
Despite the outcry, Biden remains steadfast. At a campaign stop in North Carolina, he reaffirmed his commitment to running for a second term, stating, “I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job, because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high.”
The president’s upcoming interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and his campaign rallies in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania are critical opportunities for him to regain lost ground. However, the pressure is immense, and the stakes could not be higher for the Biden campaign.
With polls showing Biden trailing Trump nationally and in key battleground states, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the president can reassure voters of his capability to lead or if the Democratic Party will face the daunting task of finding a replacement candidate so late in the election cycle.
