WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a frantic Friday for US President Joe Biden and for the Democrats seeking his reelection. The goal was to calm the anxiety of their supporters following his wavering performance in the debate he held Thursday night with former President Donald Trump, while elected members of his party closed ranks to try to silence speculation that he could be replaced as a candidate.
PUBLICIDAD
Biden's hesitations and digressions, especially at the beginning of the debate, fueled concerns even among members of his party that at 81 years old, he is not up to the task of leading the country for another four years.
PUBLICIDAD
This created a moment of crisis for Biden's campaign team and his presidency, as members of his party flirted with possible replacements, and donors and supporters could not contain their concern about his performance against Trump.
Biden went out to contain the critics
The current president of the US seemed to acknowledge the criticisms during a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, and said, "I don't debate as well as I used to. But, he added, "I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done." Speaking for 18 minutes, Biden seemed much more animated than the night before as he criticized Trump for his "lies" and for running a campaign aimed at "revenge and settling scores.
"The choice in this election is simple," said Biden. "Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it." And he added, in reference to his candidacy and his problems in the debate: "When you get knocked down, you get back up."
They are closing ranks around the president's candidacy.
On Friday, Democratic lawmakers acknowledged Biden's poor performance, but tried to quell speculation that they will replace him as their standard-bearer, instead directing attention to Trump's attacks and lies.
“Well, the president did not have a good night, but neither did Donald Trump with lie after lie and his bleak vision for the United States,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to The Associated Press on Friday, hours before he introduced the president in Raleigh.”
Former President Barack Obama endorsed his former vice president and posted on X: “Bad debate nights happen.T rust me, I know.” Referring to his own poor performance in the first debate of his 2012 reelection campaign. Obama continued: “But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.”