Several top Democratic lawmakers have expressed their anger over President Biden’s public denial and deflection of his rocky debate performance. Some members of Congress are calling for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to privately encourage Biden to step aside. Lawmakers fear that Biden’s actions could jeopardize Democrats’ chances of holding the Senate majority or regaining control of the House in November. The White House stated that Biden spoke with Jeffries and other elected officials following the debate, but lawmakers are concerned that he is only consulting with family members and those on his payroll when making important decisions.
At a campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, Biden blamed his poor debate performance on his foreign travel in June, including a visit to France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day. Biden admitted that he did not listen to his staff and nearly fell asleep on stage upon his return. After his European trips, Biden rested in Delaware and spent six days preparing for the debate at Camp David, with debate preparation beginning late in the day and including time for an afternoon nap. Even Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a longtime Biden ally, acknowledged concerns about Biden’s debate performance in an interview and stated that it’s a legitimate question to question both candidates’ mental acuity and health.
The aftermath of Biden’s debate performance has led to frustration among Democrats, with major Democratic donors now planning to redirect large contributions to House and Senate candidates instead of supporting Biden. Some Democrats who previously accused Trump supporters of gaslighting over concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness are now fed up with how Biden has downplayed and deflected following the debate rather than the actual debate itself. Lawmakers are growing increasingly fearful that Biden is not seeking advice from a broader circle and may be only consulting with those closest to him, which could have negative consequences on the upcoming elections.
Lawmakers privately expressed concerns that Biden is not reaching out to congressional leadership and rank-and-file members in competitive races following the debate. Some are worried that Biden’s slow response and downplaying of his debate performance could cost Democrats their majority in Congress. Despite the White House’s claims that Biden was working before the debate, some lawmakers are questioning whether Biden’s actions in the aftermath of the debate are more damaging than the debate itself. Democrats are now contemplating their next steps as they navigate the fallout from Biden’s debate performance and his handling of the aftermath.
In response to concerns over his debate performance, Biden agreed to an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News. Democratic donors are now looking to redirect their support to House and Senate candidates, anticipating a second term for former President Trump. The handling of Biden’s debate performance aftermath has caused frustration among Democrats, who are worried about the potential impact on the upcoming elections. Despite previously defending Biden against age and mental fitness concerns, Democrats are now grappling with the fallout from his debate performance and the subsequent handling of the situation, with some questioning whether Biden’s actions post-debate could have a more significant impact than the debate itself on the elections.