Supporters of US President Joe Biden had hoped Thursday night's debate would alleviate concerns about his age and fitness to serve another term. Instead, his hoarse voice and sometimes hesitant performance against Republican rival Donald Trump amplified these worries. Both Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, have faced scrutiny regarding their age and fitness in the lead-up to the November 5 election, but these concerns have weighed more heavily on Biden.
On Thursday, Biden's hurried delivery and occasional stumbling over answers on the debate stage underscored these issues. A Democratic strategist who worked on Biden's 2020 campaign called the debate a "disaster" about halfway through the event. Biden's performance included moments where he trailed off or seemed to lose his train of thought, which Trump seized upon to criticize his coherence.
Ahead of the debate, Biden had spent nearly a week at the Camp David presidential retreat with top advisers in preparation, highlighting the importance his campaign placed on the event. Despite these efforts, critics felt his performance did not reflect this preparation. Ray La Raja, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, noted that Biden appeared to be "searching for words."
Joe Walsh, a former 2020 Republican presidential candidate and Trump critic, commented on social media that Biden's performance sounded "old" and "lost," calling it an "absolute nightmare" for his campaign. The debate has added to the growing concerns among Biden's supporters about his ability to effectively campaign and serve another term as President.
On Thursday, Biden's hurried delivery and occasional stumbling over answers on the debate stage underscored these issues. A Democratic strategist who worked on Biden's 2020 campaign called the debate a "disaster" about halfway through the event. Biden's performance included moments where he trailed off or seemed to lose his train of thought, which Trump seized upon to criticize his coherence.
Ahead of the debate, Biden had spent nearly a week at the Camp David presidential retreat with top advisers in preparation, highlighting the importance his campaign placed on the event. Despite these efforts, critics felt his performance did not reflect this preparation. Ray La Raja, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, noted that Biden appeared to be "searching for words."
Joe Walsh, a former 2020 Republican presidential candidate and Trump critic, commented on social media that Biden's performance sounded "old" and "lost," calling it an "absolute nightmare" for his campaign. The debate has added to the growing concerns among Biden's supporters about his ability to effectively campaign and serve another term as President.
