Multiple residents at an assisted living facility in Chevy Chase, Maryland, voiced discomfort with President Biden's debate showing against former President Trump, citing concerns about his gaffes, physical demeanor, and age.
Senior citizens at an assisted living facility in Chevy Chase, Maryland, have expressed discomfort over President Joe Biden's debate performance against former President Donald Trump on Thursday night.
In interviews with Politico, residents raised concerns about Biden's gaffes, physical demeanor, and age, particularly in contrast to Trump's energetic delivery.
Senior Citizens Express Concern Over Biden's Debate Performance
"We finally beat Medicare," Biden declared during the debate, prompting 81-year-old Barbara Goldberg to put her head in her hands and repeat the statement in disbelief.
"I don’t like to see [Biden’s] gaffes, but I don’t like to see Trump going haywire and cockamamie either," Goldberg said.
Senior Citizens Express Concern Over Biden's Debate Performance
Meg Maguire, also 81, commented on Biden's lack of focus and his tendency to avoid direct eye contact with the camera. "I think that he is rushing it, and he’s not looking at the camera for the most part," she said.
"In terms of just physical relationship to the camera, Trump is doing better," Maguire added. "But he says garbage."
Senior Citizens Express Concern Over Biden's Debate Performance
Echoing these concerns, 83-year-old Claire Moses expressed her belief that Biden's age was becoming apparent during the debate. "I do think Biden’s age is showing at this debate, and it pains me," she said.
Moses also pointed to Biden's performance as a "bad performer" who could not effectively convey his accomplishments and policies. "Biden is not a good performer," Moses said. "And I’m very sad tonight because I think that Biden is a great president, and he is a great president because of what he has done, what he has accomplished, not how he speaks."
Following the debate, numerous political commentators and journalists called on Biden to withdraw from the 2024 race, citing concerns about his mental and physical fitness for office.
"If Biden truly believes Democracy is on the line, he should step aside and let another Democrat step in to take on Trump. Put the country first," Alyssa Farah Griffin of "The View" said.
Vox correspondent Eric Levitz also weighed in, writing, "Joe Biden should save his legacy by ending his candidacy."
The Biden campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on the concerns raised by senior citizens and political commentators regarding his debate performance. However, the debate has raised questions about Biden's ability to effectively lead the country for a second term.
