Panic in Democratic Party After Biden’s ‘Catastrophic’ Performance in Presidential Debate with Trump

President Biden’s performance during the CNN Presidential Debate with former President Donald Trump has set off a wave of reactions across the media landscape.

Critics from various corners have voiced their concerns, with some even calling for the President to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.

Democratic Party in Panic Over Joe’s Debate Showing

CNN’s John King highlighted the palpable sense of panic among Democratic strategists and officials, triggered early in the debate.

He described it as a “game-changing debate,” pointing out that conversations about Biden’s performance are now widespread among party insiders.

According to King, the level of concern is unprecedented, with strategists and fundraisers alike questioning the impact of the President’s performance on the upcoming election.

Kasie Hunt, also from CNN, echoed similar sentiments on social media, noting the intense reactions from Democrats watching the debate.

She emphasized the striking visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump during the event.

Hunt mentioned that the visual disparities were a significant talking point among her Democratic sources, who expressed their dismay at Biden’s apparent lack of vigor compared to his opponent.

Media Reactions to Democratic President’s Debate Performance

NBC News’ Chuck Todd acknowledged that Biden’s performance seemed to validate the caricatures created by his critics, particularly regarding his mental acuity.

This observation comes in the wake of a Wall Street Journal report earlier this month questioning the president’s viability.

Todd pointed out that there were no redeeming moments in the debate for Biden, and the lack of strong, positive soundbites left a lasting negative impression.

Bloomberg Opinion editor Tim O’Brien noted that Trump dominated the debate despite his contentious statements, while the President appeared as a “dazed punching bag.”

O’Brien’s analysis focused on how Trump managed to seize control of the debate narrative, leaving Biden struggling to respond effectively.

MSNBC host Joy Reid criticized the Biden campaign’s decision to position him on the right side of the stage, suggesting it exacerbated his challenges during the debate.

Reid argued that this positioning made the incumbent President look awkward and disengaged, further undermining his performance.

Calls for Biden to Step Down Intensify

The most significant fallout from the debate has been the increasing calls from media figures for Biden to step aside.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, a long-time ally of Biden, wrote that the debate performance made him realize the President should withdraw from the race.

Friedman described the debate as a heartbreaking moment, emphasizing that it revealed Biden’s diminishing capacity to handle the rigors of a presidential campaign.

Fellow columnist Nicholas Kristof also suggested on social media that the President should consider stepping down to allow other potential candidates like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown to enter the race.

Kristof’s comments highlighted a growing sentiment among Democrats that a younger, more dynamic candidate might be better positioned to take on Trump in the general election.

Alyssa Farah Griffin of “The View” added that the President should prioritize the country’s future by withdrawing his candidacy, allowing another Democrat to challenge Trump.

Griffin’s plea was framed as a call to action for the Democratic Party to put the country’s needs above individual ambitions.

Vox correspondent Eric Levitz echoed these sentiments, advising Biden to end his campaign to preserve his legacy.

Levitz argued that stepping aside now would allow Biden to be remembered for his accomplishments rather than a potentially disastrous campaign.

Media and Public Reactions: A Growing Clamor for Change

The debate’s impact has resonated across various media outlets. The Drudge Report featured a bold headline, “OPERATION: REPLACE BIDEN,” and conducted a poll on potential Democratic replacements.

CNN commentator Van Jones, who had previously celebrated the President’s 2020 victory, made an emotional plea for Biden to reconsider his candidacy.

“We’re still far from our convention and there is time for this party to figure out a different way forward if he will allow us to do that,” Jones said. “But that was not what we needed from Joe Biden. And it’s personally painful for a lot of people. It’s not just panic. It’s pain of what we saw tonight.”

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