US President Joe Biden‘s lackluster performance during the recent debate with Republican rival Donald Trump has drawn criticism from Democratic supporters, donors, and former and current aides.
Despite Trump’s repetition of blatant falsehoods, including claims of winning the 2020 election, Biden failed to effectively counter them, leading to calls for him to reconsider his reelection bid and for changes among his top advisers.
Some individuals close to Biden believe he was over-prepared and exhausted, with one major fundraiser, John Morgan, calling for the dismissal of senior aide Anita Dunn and her husband, Bob Bauer, who played Trump in pre-debate rehearsals.
“My only request was make sure he’s rested before the debate, but he was exhausted. He was unwell,” said one person who said they appealed to Biden’s top aides in the days before, to no avail. “What a bad decision to send him out looking sick and exhausted.”
The debate strategy, approved by campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and backed by Dunn, involved a rigorous preparation schedule at Camp David.
Prior to the debate, Biden’s poll numbers had begun to improve following Trump’s conviction for falsifying documents and the president’s successful visits to Europe. However, critics argue that the preparation should have focused more on the broader vision Biden needs to convey to the nation, and that he lacked sufficient rest before the event.
The decision to participate in the debate came as a surprise to some advisers, with Biden’s team opting to reject the traditional debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates in favor of a more controlled setting on CNN. Despite this, Biden’s performance was widely criticized, with his appearance and demeanor described as wan, straggly, and frequently incoherent.
In the aftermath of the debate, Biden delivered a strong speech in North Carolina and pledged to continue his campaign, with many donors and Democrats rallying around him. However, discussions about potential alternative candidates for the 2024 election are already taking place within the Democratic Party.
Despite Trump’s repetition of blatant falsehoods, including claims of winning the 2020 election, Biden failed to effectively counter them, leading to calls for him to reconsider his reelection bid and for changes among his top advisers.
Some individuals close to Biden believe he was over-prepared and exhausted, with one major fundraiser, John Morgan, calling for the dismissal of senior aide Anita Dunn and her husband, Bob Bauer, who played Trump in pre-debate rehearsals.
“My only request was make sure he’s rested before the debate, but he was exhausted. He was unwell,” said one person who said they appealed to Biden’s top aides in the days before, to no avail. “What a bad decision to send him out looking sick and exhausted.”
The debate strategy, approved by campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon and backed by Dunn, involved a rigorous preparation schedule at Camp David.
Prior to the debate, Biden’s poll numbers had begun to improve following Trump’s conviction for falsifying documents and the president’s successful visits to Europe. However, critics argue that the preparation should have focused more on the broader vision Biden needs to convey to the nation, and that he lacked sufficient rest before the event.
The decision to participate in the debate came as a surprise to some advisers, with Biden’s team opting to reject the traditional debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates in favor of a more controlled setting on CNN. Despite this, Biden’s performance was widely criticized, with his appearance and demeanor described as wan, straggly, and frequently incoherent.
In the aftermath of the debate, Biden delivered a strong speech in North Carolina and pledged to continue his campaign, with many donors and Democrats rallying around him. However, discussions about potential alternative candidates for the 2024 election are already taking place within the Democratic Party.