Whatever went on at Camp David … it didn’t work.
Leading up to last night’s debate, President Joe Biden lived for a week at Camp David prepping for the battle. Aides, coaches, and experts were at the longtime presidential retreat putting Biden through the paces, we were told, to put him in top form for the Thursday night exchange with former President Donald Trump.
It didn’t work.
In the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign, President Biden's performance fell significantly short of expectations, casting serious doubt on his viability as a candidate against Trump. Biden appeared old, tired, and weak, often slurring his speech and becoming incoherent. This performance has amplified fears among Democrats about his age and fitness for office, turning the debate into a nightmare scenario for his campaign.
Trump, in contrast, managed to maintain an uncharacteristic composure throughout the 90-minute debate, which was filled with a mix of insults and policy contrasts. Some key highlights from the debate include:
- Evan Gershkovich's Release: Trump pledged to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges, should he be re-elected.
- Abortion: Trump appeared to commit to allowing the abortion pill to remain available, while Biden reiterated his support for the Roe v. Wade framework, which permitted abortion until viability before being overturned by the Supreme Court.
- Ukraine: The candidates clashed over Ukraine, with Trump blaming Biden for Russia's invasion and criticizing the substantial U.S. aid provided to the country.
Within the first three minutes, it looked like Joe Biden was more an abused senior citizen than the leader of the free world. It was hard to watch – probably for most Americans, Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. This was the President of the United States, and it was genuinely painful. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof posted on X:
“I wish Biden would reflect on this debate performance and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, throwing the choice of Democratic nominee to the convention.”
At about 15 minutes into the disaster, Biden responded to an immigration question that ended with a rambling conclusion that was, at best, hard to follow. In that moment, the stark cognitive differences between the two men became painfully clear. Without missing a beat, Trump delivered a haymaker:
“I really don’t know what he said at the end of this. I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
Biden was effectively knocked out of the ring.
Following the debate, CNN’s post-game panel focused entirely on Biden’s abysmal performance. CNN’s Chief National Correspondent offered this:
“Minutes into the debate … and it continues right now. [Democrats] are having a conversation. It involves strategists, it involves elected officials, and it involves fundraisers … they’re having conversations about the President’s performance, which they think was dismal, which they think will hurt other people down the party on the ticket… some of those conversations include ‘should we go to the White House and ask the President to step aside?’”
In contrast, Trump appeared focused and disciplined, though his responses were rife with inaccuracies. His refusal to unequivocally accept the results of the 2024 election further demonstrated his unwavering stance on contentious issues. Yet, his composed demeanor starkly contrasted with Biden's frailty, potentially giving him an edge in the eyes of undecided voters.
In 1960, John Kennedy and Richard Nixon met in the first televised debate in history. Radio listeners gave Nixon the decision. But those tuned in to their TVs watched the dynamic of our elections change overnight. Young, handsome, and calm, Kennedy appeared confident, vibrant, healthy. Nixon, who declined makeup, looked, well, bad. Sweating and with a 5 o’clock shadow, Nixon never had a chance.
But in 1960 there wasn’t YouTube. There weren’t a bazillion news channels replaying the debate ad nauseum. No X, TikTok, Facebook …
Biden’s performance will never disappear, and, well, let’s face it – Biden looked, um, bad. If it had been a prize fight, the referee would have stopped it.
Absent a referee, Biden spent the evening on the canvas.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang did not mince words on social media, suggesting the Democratic Party consider nominating a different candidate and using the hashtag #swapJoeout. Yang's sentiment reflects a growing unease within the party regarding Biden's ability to effectively compete in the upcoming election.
Voter Reactions and Campaign Implications
Biden's lackluster debate performance may prompt more vocal calls for a new nominee within the Democratic Party, although the process of replacing him would be complex and potentially divisive. If Biden were to exit the race, the decision on a new candidate would fall to the Democratic National Convention delegates, leading to a potentially chaotic and protracted selection process.
Conclusion: Trump Beats Biden
If President Biden does not step aside, the outcome of the 2024 election seems increasingly clear: Trump will win. Biden's debate performance has not only failed to inspire confidence but has also fueled doubts about his capacity to lead. For the Democrats to stand a chance, they need a candidate who can match Trump's energy and composure on the debate stage. If Biden remains the nominee, his frailty and lackluster performance will likely pave the way for Trump's return to the White House. The Democratic Party must make a critical decision, and quickly: either find a new candidate or prepare for a Trump victory in 2024. Good luck with that.
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