Former Biden White House Communications Director claims the race is unchanged, while Republican pollster disagrees.
In the aftermath of President Biden's widely criticized performance in the CNN Presidential Debate, former Biden White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield maintains that the atmosphere around the 2024 matchup remains largely unchanged. However, Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson contends that the debate was a "political earthquake" and could have significant consequences for Biden's campaign.
During a CNN panel segment, Bedingfield acknowledged Biden's poor debate showing, but argued that the fundamental head-to-head has not shifted. She claims that voters were not swayed by Trump's arguments and remained concerned about his stance on the January 6th Capitol riot and election integrity.
Biden's Debate Performance: Media Allegedly Covered Up Faults
Soltis Anderson countered that Biden's mental acuity has been a concern among the American public since January and that the debate served as a stark illustration of these concerns. She believes that many voters may have already anticipated Biden's performance, which could explain why the polls may not significantly change.
The Biden campaign, when contacted for comment, pointed to a memo suggesting that the debate had no significant impact on the race. The memo claims that Biden's supporters remain energized, and that Trump failed to expand his appeal beyond his existing base.
Biden's Debate Performance: Media Allegedly Covered Up Faults
Despite Bedingfield's and the Biden campaign's assertions, Democrats have expressed considerable concern about Biden's debate performance. Many have called for him to step down and allow another prominent Democrat to take his place as the party's nominee.
A CNN flash poll conducted during the debate indicated that 67% of viewers believed Trump was the clear winner, compared to only 33% who favored Biden. This result is a significant shift from a similar flash poll conducted in 2020, which saw Biden emerge victorious with 55% support compared to Trump's 39%.
Biden's Debate Performance: Media Allegedly Covered Up Faults
As the November election draws near, the Biden campaign will face the challenge of mitigating the damage caused by the debate and restoring confidence among voters. The campaign will likely focus on emphasizing Biden's experience and policy positions, while attempting to cast Trump as a divisive and dangerous figure.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party will aim to capitalize on Biden's perceived weakness and portray him as unfit for office. Trump and his allies will likely continue to highlight Biden's cognitive decline and his handling of the economy, while also attempting to energize their base and attract moderate voters.
Biden's Debate Performance: Media Allegedly Covered Up Faults
The outcome of the 2024 presidential election remains uncertain, but the debate has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into the race. Biden's campaign now faces the daunting task of convincing voters that he is still the best choice to lead the country, while Trump and the Republicans will seek to capitalize on the perceived vulnerability of the incumbent president. Only time will tell whether the debate will ultimately have a decisive impact on the election's outcome.
