Biden’s debate performance sets off alarm bells for Democrats

Alarm bells are ringing among top Democrats over the 2024 presidential race and President Joe Biden’s political future, with the president’s debate performance leaving some to openly question whether Biden can stay atop of the Democratic ticket.

President Joe Biden’s debate performance has set off alarm bells among top Democrats, leaving some to openly question whether Biden can stay atop of the Democratic ticket. “He seemed a little disoriented. He did get stronger as the debate went on. But by that time, I think the panic had set in,” longtime Democratic operative and CNN senior political commentator David Axelrod said. Axelrod also gave voice to a conversation happening among many Democrats on Thursday night: “There are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.” After a rocky start to the night, campaign and party officials pointed to Biden’s rebuke to Trump on the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol as a moment where the president hit his stride. They also noted Biden’s climate change comments and the exchange over former President Donald Trump’s reported derogatory terms for veterans as high points and argued the president improved as the night went on. Vice President Kamala Harris conceded that the president got off to a “slow start.” “What we saw tonight is the president making a very clear contrast with Donald Trump on all the issues that matter to the American people. Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish. And what became very clear through the course of the night is that Joe Biden is fighting on behalf of the American people – on substance, on policy, on performance,” Harris said in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Pressed by Cooper on Biden’s performance, Harris offered a defense of her boss.