Prominent figures on CNN, MSNBC, and ABC's "The View" have expressed concerns about President Biden's performance in the first debate of the 2024 presidential campaign, suggesting that it may be time for him to reconsider his candidacy.
President Biden's halting, unsure performance in the first debate of the 2024 presidential campaign has sparked widespread criticism and calls for him to step aside.
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
MSNBC's Joy Reid, known for her support of Biden, expressed concerns about his performance, stating that "Obamaworld" and "Bidenworld" figures were texting her frantically, describing Biden as "extremely feeble and weak."
MSNBC's Alex Wagner painted a grim picture of the mood among Democrats and Biden allies, saying that the debate had elicited a "universally negative reaction." She expressed concern that Biden's performance reinforced the notion that he is "very old and was lost frequently in that debate."
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
CNN commentator Van Jones, who has been a strong supporter of Biden, became emotional after the debate, saying, "I love that guy. That's a good man. He loves his country. He‘s doing the best that he can, but he had a test to meet tonight to restore confidence of the country and of the base. And he failed to do that."
The once-prominent news aggregator Drudge Report published a banner headline declaring, "OPERATION: REPLACE BIDEN" and "DEMS SCRAMBLE WITH 130 DAYS TO GO! DEBATE CATASTROPHE." The banner included a poll question asking who the best Democrat would be to replace Biden.
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wrote a somber piece titled "Joe Biden Is a Good Man and a Good President. He Must Bow Out of the Race," calling the debate "a heartbreaking moment in American presidential campaign politics." He argued that Biden should withdraw from the race to protect his legacy.
The New York Times editorial board called for Biden to step aside, stating that while he has been an admirable president, "he is not the man he was four years ago." The board argued that it is in the best interest of the country for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, while expressing his love for Biden, questioned his fitness for office, asking, "If he were CEO and he turned in a performance like that, would any corporation in America, any Fortune 500 corporation in America keep him on as CEO?"
Former Democratic Missouri Senator and MSNBC analyst Claire McCaskill admitted that she was heartbroken because Biden "failed" to prove he's fit for another term in office. She said, "I don't know if things can be done to fix this."
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
Several anti-Trump pundits on ABC's "The View" called for Biden to step aside. Co-host Sara Haines said, "I think Biden's team saw it coming. I think that's why they pushed for an earlier debate, so they'd have time to change course if needed." Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump administration official, said she was "in shock" watching the debate and expressed concerns about Biden's age.
Washington Post columnist David Ignatius questioned Biden's strength and wisdom to make the right decision, asking, "How did this happen? What was the combination of moral conviction, personal confidence and selfishness that propelled Biden, despite the risks, toward his decision to seek another term?"
Biden's Poor Debate Performance Raises Concerns, Prompts Calls for Him to Step Aside
