Democrats are facing growing pressure to address President Biden's fitness for office following his lackluster debate performance, with some media outlets calling for him to withdraw from the race.
President Joe Biden's poor performance in the recent presidential debate has sparked growing concerns among Democrats, with some questioning his fitness for office and calling for him to withdraw from the 2024 race.
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board became the latest to join the chorus of voices calling for former President Trump's withdrawal from the race, citing his "bombastic litany of lies" during the debate. The board accused Trump of spewing "raw sewage" and argued that he had no place on the debate stage.
Biden's Debate Performance Leaves Democrats in a Quandary
The Inquirer acknowledged Biden's "disaster" of a performance but contended that Trump was the one who should step down, saying, "Biden on his worst day remains lightyears better than Trump on his best."
Other news outlets, such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) and the New York Times, have also expressed concerns about Biden's performance. The AJC editorial board criticized Biden for failing to outline his platform and counter Trump's lies, while the New York Times called his candidacy a "reckless gamble."
Biden's Debate Performance Leaves Democrats in a Quandary
The Times board argued that Biden had been an admirable president but said that his "greatest public service" now would be to announce his withdrawal from the race.
The debate performance has fanned the flames of concerns among Democrats over Biden's age and cognitive abilities. Biden is the oldest person to ever hold the office of the presidency, and some believe that his age is beginning to affect his fitness for the job.
Biden's Debate Performance Leaves Democrats in a Quandary
The president's approval ratings have also plummeted in recent months, with recent polls showing him trailing Trump in hypothetical matchups. The debate performance has only further eroded confidence in Biden's ability to win re-election.
The pressure on Democrats to address Biden's performance is likely to intensify in the coming weeks and months. The party faces a difficult decision as it tries to balance the need to support its president with the need to ensure the party's success in the 2024 election.
For now, Biden has remained defiant, saying that he is "not going anywhere." However, the calls for him to withdraw are likely to continue unless he can dramatically improve his performance and convince the country that he is fit for office.
The debate over Biden's fitness has also highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party. Some Democrats believe that Biden should step aside for a younger candidate, while others argue that he should remain in the race and prove that he is still capable of leading the country.
The debate is likely to continue until the party's eventual nominee is chosen.
