Democrats are despairing over President Joe Biden’s debate performance Thursday night, a showing so halting some even privately raised questions about whether he should remain the party’s nominee.
Biden appeared onstage with a soft, halting voice and an open-mouthed, staring look.
He struggled to finish thoughts at points, and ceded ground on issues like abortion where Democrats have an edge.
It took just minutes for Democrats to realize how bad it was becoming.
Democrats have spent much of the past year handwringing about Biden’s chances of beating Trump in an election many view as an existential one that will decide the very survival of American democracy. But Biden himself was determined to be the one to take on Trump, at one point even saying directly: “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running.”No serious Democratic challengers stepped up to run against Biden, and at this point in the campaign he’d have to decide to step aside if Democrats were to pick another nominee.
If Biden did withdraw, the Democratic nomination would be decided on the floor.Democrats were even talking about who it might be instead: “If I was Gavin (Newsom) or Gretchen (Whitmer), I’d be making calls tonight,” one said.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
@PeskyV0terRepublican2yrs2Y
PA Governor Josh Shapiro:
"This election is more a referendum on all of us and whether in this nation we still value freedom. Joe Biden promises more freedom, Donald Trump promises less."
@EmptyCabinetLibertarian2yrs2Y
Lmaooo
This is a referendum on ALL OF US??? Not on BIDEN???
"Stop worrying that Joe Biden has dementia! This is your fault comrade and you must get to work making sure dear leader wins!!"
@WiseSmeltDemocrat2yrs2Y
The consensus is that Joe Biden could still BE president, and he would clearly BE a better president than Trump. Unfortunately, he can no longer RUN for president. That ended last night.
@AmazedVetoDemocrat2yrs2Y
I voted for Biden, contributed to his campaign and have volunteerd for Democratic Pary causes.
My view this morning is that after his performance last night, Biden is not competent enough to be president for the next 4 months - let alone the next 4 years. I wouldn't be comfortable letting him watch his grandchildren.
@FabulousPigletGreen2yrs2Y
A lot of distraught democrats this morning, but I'm finding myself extremely relieved. I feel like there is now a real opportunity to talk about who should be on the ticket against Trump. A conversation that should have taken place 2 years ago.
It's over for Biden. There's no recovering from this.
@9PXTC9D2yrs2Y
Biden should never have been an option ever. Especially after all of his controversies as president.
@Activi5tClamDemocrat2yrs2Y
Biden must not be reelected. The Ameeican public, especially Democratic voters, must send Joe Biden and the Democratic party crystal clear feedback: you fund a genocide based on lies and coverups, you are out of office. Period. No exceptions. No matter how bad the opponent is.
It's time we look lesser evil voting in the face and recognise that it destroys the democratic process and has allowed the drift of our leaders farther right, with freedom of the press and basic civil and human rights under attack by Democrstic as well as Republican leaders.
We must break free of the political duopoly, abolish the Electoral College put the people back in charge to reclaim democracy in our electoral system.
Biden ain’t going nowhere. It’s June. Let go of your pearls and dry your bed. He lost a debate. Bad.
But it’s June.
You’re not replacing him. So leave your random combinations in your chats. You’re not nominating Gretch or Gavin or Wes over Kamala. Stop it.
Organize. Vote. We are winning every swing state senate race and gubernatorial race (NC). Relax.
Choice is Trump, Biden or couch.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg refused to step down and we lost Roe. Now the stakes are much higher. If Biden refuses to "pass the torch", we'll lose our democracy.
People need to get a **** ing grip. He had a bad debate. Trump's lying is unprecedented. The we must throw him overboard is not serious and exemplifies why Dems are so bad at this.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
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