Shortly before Vice President Kamala Harris responded to Joe Biden's performance in the debate with a white lie (“It was a weak beginning and a strong ending. Biden is extraordinarily strong”), California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and one of the president's top campaign aides, had already described the abruptly underway succession debate among Democrats as “pointless” and “unnecessary.” due to the poor performance of the candidate for re-election against Donald Trump. While the debate was still ongoing, political commentators such as CNN's John King quickly suggested the existence of a current in the Democratic ranks willing to call on Biden to step aside before the November elections, which would open up an unknown scenario, a new scenario. in a campaign that also stars a candidate who is a convicted felon. Twelve hours after the candidate's eligibility for re-election was called into question, President Biden's campaign and his top aides rushed this Friday to silence the rumor that the best thing for the Democratic Party would be another candidate.
“Democrats, stop worrying and get to work. “We all have a responsibility to do our part,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who has been talked about as a possible 2028 candidate, said in statements to MSNBC Friday morning when asked about Biden’s candidacy. “Sitting here and complaining, sitting here and worrying, is not the answer,” he added. “I think [el debate sucesorio] “It's pointless and unnecessary,” Gavin Newson added to what was said the day before on the same set where the debate was held. another prominent name on the succession deck. “We've got to get in there, we've got to keep our heads up and, like I said, we've got to have this president's back. You don't turn your back on him because of one performance,” no matter how disappointing it was.
But beyond social media, commentators, politicians and campaign strategists, with a relentless barrage of comments and memes about the 81-year-old Democratic candidate’s confusion, have unanimously sounded the alarm. The CNN analyst assured that the Democrats he has been able to speak to are in “total panic mode,” and that some of them will dare to propose an honorable Biden withdrawal to the White House before it is too late. Abby Phillip, also of CNN, said that “the panic” she observed on Thursday night “is not even close” to what has been felt so far. “There is great concern about that [el debate] has done real damage that cannot be undone,” Phillip said.
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A Biden employee, protected by anonymity, reported to the political information portal The hill: “This is a real nightmare. I can't believe what I'm seeing. “I see us losing this election in slow motion.” “Tonight people's fears have been confirmed” about the suitability of Biden, who is aiming for a second term in the White House, said David Axelrod, one of Barack Obama's top advisers.
As the debate continued, Democrats became increasingly restless, with some wondering whether it was too late for Biden to drop out. Other candidates were also considered. “There's been a lot of talk in our circles about Newsom,” said one Democratic strategist, referring to the California governor.
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“A political suicide”
The hoarse voice and the trembling lips, with clear hesitations, of Biden were attributed a posteriori by the White House to a cold, but some in the inner circle of the president gave up on taking the heat when there were obvious signs of cognitive decline: chatter, deviation from the topic under analysis when there was no apparent confusion or a near-blank mind, as when he declared “We finally defeated Medicare,” when what he really meant was that the United States had defeated COVID-19. One Democratic strategist, also protected by anonymity, described the president’s intervention as “political suicide.” “There’s no other way to say it. It was not a good debate for Joe Biden,” Kate Bedingfield, the president’s longtime communications aide, told CNN.
“If this happens, we're going to lose 20 seats in the House,” said a House Democrat, who said in statements to the portal Axios, also spoke on the condition that his identity not be revealed. “I'm in a state of shocksaid another.
“Just 30 minutes after the presidential debate, I have already heard from three veterans in charge of the Democratic presidential campaign, and they have all had the same reaction to President Biden's performance: this is a disaster,” Patrick Healy recapitulated the Democratic shock in the elections. diary The New York Times.
According to renowned commentator Chris Wallace, who moderated the first debate between the two in September 2020 during his time at conservative Fox, Biden “scuttled his campaign tonight.” ABC News commentator Sarah Ishgur’s reaction was more than graphic: “Sadness.”
The alleged move by some Democrats to convince Biden to drop out of the race was a popular rumor among many coreligionists. A Democratic member of the House of Representatives from one of the seven swing states put it this way in statements collected by The hill: “It’s been a disaster. “Biden’s team needs to convince him to withdraw and have an open convention.” “We need a real debate about how this is going to go,” said one Democratic donor. “We can’t keep avoiding this discussion about age. We need to get serious. The stakes are high here and what the hell are we doing?
Among the few who criticized Biden's failure, Biden campaign analyst Geoff Garin said on the social network “as he continued.” But the bad taste in my mouth at night made it possible to suspect an even more bitter day later. “Tomorrow this is going to blow up,” said a House Democrat Axios. The key word now is damage control.
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