Joe Biden Acknowledges Age After Lackluster Debate Performance: 'I Know I'm Not a Young Man, But...'

Boston Brand Media discovered the trending in Raleigh: On Friday, President Joe Biden affirmed his determination to defeat Republican opponent Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Despite a weak debate performance that left many Democrats disheartened, Biden showed no signs of withdrawing from the race.

"Obviously, I'm not a young man," an optimistic Biden remarked at a rally following the debate, which was widely seen as a setback for the 81-year-old president.

"I don't walk as easily, speak as smoothly, or debate as effectively as I used to," he acknowledged, as the crowd responded with chants of "Four more years."

"I would not be running again if I didn't believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job. The stakes are too high," Biden asserted.

Biden's verbal stumbles and occasionally meandering responses during the debate heightened voter concerns about his fitness to serve another four-year term. This performance prompted some Democrats to question whether they should replace him as their candidate for the November 5 U.S. election.

Campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler dismissed these concerns, stating, "We'd rather have one bad night than a candidate with a bad vision for where he wants to take the country," aboard Air Force One.

To reassure staffers, the campaign held an "all hands on deck" meeting on Friday afternoon, confirming that Biden was not dropping out of the race, according to two insiders.

Though Trump, 78, propagated several falsehoods during the debate, the focus afterward was primarily on Biden, especially among Democrats.

When asked about his confidence in Biden's candidacy, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Party leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, responded vaguely, "I support the ticket. I support the Senate Democratic majority. We're going to do everything possible to take back the House in November. Thank you, everyone," avoiding a direct answer.

Other Democrats also hesitated when asked if Biden should continue his campaign. "That's the president's decision," Democratic Senator Jack Reed told a local TV station in Rhode Island.

However, several senior party figures, including former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, stood by Biden. "Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and somebody who only cares about himself," former President Obama wrote on X.

The New York Times editorial board, which endorsed Biden in 2020, suggested he drop out to give the Democratic Party a better chance of defeating Trump with another candidate. "The greatest public service Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election," the editorial stated.

Despite the debate fallout, the Biden campaign reported raising $14 million on Thursday and Friday, with its best fundraising hour immediately following the debate. In contrast, the Trump campaign raised $8 million on the night of the debate.

Boston Brand Media also found the Preliminary viewership data indicated that only 48 million Americans watched the debate, significantly less than the 73 million who watched the last Biden-Trump face-off in 2020, which might be a positive for Biden.

Already the oldest American president in history, Biden faced minimal opposition during the party's nominating process and has secured enough support to be the Democratic nominee.

Trump, likewise, overcame his party's challengers early, setting the stage for a protracted and contentious general election battle.

If Biden were to step aside, the Democratic Party would have less than two months to select another nominee at its national convention starting on August 19. This process could be complicated, potentially pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against other governors and officeholders considered as possible replacements.

Trump Sets His Sights on Virginia

At a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, Trump told his supporters he had a "big victory against a man looking to destroy our country."

"Joe Biden's problem is not his age," Trump stated. "It's his competence."

Trump's advisers believe the debate could improve their prospects in traditionally Democratic states like Virginia, which hasn't supported a Republican presidential candidate since 2004.

Some Trump supporters noted Biden's poor performance beforehand. "I'm scared they will replace him with someone more competitive," said Mike Boatman, who has attended over 90 Trump rallies.

Trump fundraisers reported receiving enthusiastic calls from donors. "Anyone who raises money knows there's a time to go to donors, and this is one of those watershed moments," said Ed McMullen, a former ambassador to Switzerland under Trump.

Questions about Trump's fitness for office have also arisen due to his recent conviction in New York for covering up a hush money payment to a porn star, his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and his chaotic term in office.

He is set to be sentenced on July 11, just days before his party's convention. He still faces three other criminal indictments, though none are likely to go to trial before November.

Biden's shaky debate performance drew global reactions on Friday, prompting public calls for him to step aside and possibly making America's closest allies brace for Trump's return.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: NDTV World