Joe Biden Admits Mistakes in Debate
President Joe Biden admitted to a poor performance in last week’s debate against former President Donald Trump in a recent radio interview, generating speculation about his future at the top of the Democratic ticket.
During an appearance on “The Earl Ingram Show,” Biden acknowledged his shortcomings but expressed his determination to stay in the race. Despite his subpar showing at the debate, Biden emphasized that one night does not define his nearly four years in office.
“I had a bad night,” Biden conceded. “I screwed up. I made a mistake but I learned from my father when you get knocked down you just get back up. We’re going to win this election. We’re going to just beat Donald Trump just like we did in 2020. We’re going to beat him again.”
However, early voter surveys painted a different picture. The first post-debate New York Times/Siena College poll indicated Trump leading Biden by six percentage points among likely voters nationally.
Biden’s lackluster debate performance, characterized by fumbled answers and moments of confusion, reignited concerns about his age and fitness to serve another four years. If reelected, Biden would be 86 at the end of a potential second term.
While health and travel schedule issues were cited as reasons for his weak display, pressure is mounting for Biden to reconsider his candidacy, with two House Democrats already calling for his withdrawal.
Nevertheless, Biden appeared resolute in his commitment to continue campaigning during the interview. He highlighted the legislative efforts of his administration to improve veterans’ health care and criticized Trump’s derogatory remarks about deceased American soldiers.
Pointing to his late son Beau Biden, a veteran who passed away due to brain cancer, President Biden condemned Trump for referring to fallen soldiers as “suckers” and “losers.” The president made it clear that such disrespect was unacceptable.
During the debate, Trump criticized Biden’s immigration policies, accusing him of allowing millions to enter the country through the U.S. Southern border, which he claimed was harming job opportunities for Black Americans.
Biden called out Trump’s insinuation that Black individuals were only suited for manual labor as “shameful.” He also highlighted Trump’s history of questioning the humanity of George Floyd and promoting the baseless ‘birther’ conspiracy theory against Barack Obama.
The president emphasized the diversity of his administration, stating that he is proud to serve alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, a trailblazer as the first Black woman, Asian American, and HBCU graduate to hold the position.
If Biden were to step down, Harris is considered the most likely successor to lead the Democratic ticket. In the meantime, the president is scheduled for another significant interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, airing on Friday evening.
