Democrats Support Biden After Bad Debate
House Democrats came together in a show of support for Joe Biden after a shaky debate performance left many questioning his ability to lead the nation. Despite his somewhat lackluster showing on the debate stage, Democratic representatives cited various factors that may have contributed to Biden’s less than stellar performance.
Amid concerns that Biden appeared to lose his train of thought at times and missed opportunities to attack his opponent during the recent CNN debate, party operatives and commentators began to speculate whether Biden should step aside in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris or another Democrat.
As House lawmakers wrapped up their final day in Washington before heading out on a break, many Democrats offered explanations for Biden’s performance. Representative Bennie Thompson suggested that Biden may have been overprepared, focusing too much on memorization and not enough on strategy.
Representative Richard Neal echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of spontaneity over scripted responses in debates. He noted that consultants may sometimes push candidates to overprepare, which could hinder their ability to engage authentically with the audience.
Representative Robert Garcia revealed that Biden was feeling under the weather during the debate, possibly impacting his performance. Despite this, Garcia emphasized that voters ultimately base their decisions on a candidate’s record and policies, rather than temporary ailments.
Representative Joyce Beatty raised concerns about the debate’s setting, suggesting that the lack of an audience may have affected Biden’s energy and performance. She found the format, with candidates isolated on stage without the presence of a live audience, to be unsettling and unnatural.
Despite these challenges, some Democrats focused on the bigger picture, emphasizing the importance of countering President Trump’s false statements. House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump for continuously lying throughout the debate, highlighting the stark contrast between integrity and dishonesty.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged Biden’s rocky start but commended his efforts to push back against Trump’s falsehoods as the debate progressed. Pelosi criticized the media for failing to hold Trump accountable for his lies, calling attention to the critical role of the press in fact-checking political figures.
While a few Democrats reportedly considered advocating for Biden to step aside, others viewed his struggles as a fleeting setback. Representative Greg Landsman emphasized the need for Biden and his team to regroup and strategize moving forward.
On the Republican side, Biden’s performance only reinforced their existing criticisms of his mental capacity to serve as president. Representative Chip Roy announced plans to propose a resolution urging Biden’s cabinet to explore the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to replace him.
Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, calling on members of Biden’s cabinet to reflect on whether invoking the 25th Amendment was necessary. Despite Republican calls for Biden’s removal, Democrat Bennie Thompson dismissed Biden’s performance as a mere hiccup.
Summing up the sentiment, Thompson concluded, “We’re all human. Sometimes we have good nights. Sometimes we have bad nights.” Ultimately, the debate performance served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of politics and the resilience required to navigate its challenges.
