On Thursday, Joe Biden faced significant challenges in a heated debate with Donald Trump, raising concerns about his suitability for a second term in the White House. The debate was marked by personal attacks and Biden’s struggle to present his arguments effectively.

Biden Faces Challenges in Heated Debate with Trump

Donald Trump aggressively criticized Biden, labeling him a failure on both economic and international fronts. Biden attempted to counter these accusations but often stumbled over his words and appeared visibly strained. Despite spending the week in intensive preparation, Biden’s performance did little to reassure his Democratic supporters, especially as recent polls indicate a tight race with Trump for the upcoming November election.

This debate was historic, being the first ever between a sitting president and a former president. Both candidates traded accusations, each claiming the other was the worst president in history. The tension was palpable as they even mocked each other’s behavior and golfing skills. Notably, Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, did not shake hands as they took their positions at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta. With no live audience present, their microphones were muted while the other spoke.

During the debate, Biden, reportedly suffering from a cold, used prepared lines to highlight Trump’s potential as the first convicted felon to hold the office of the president. “You have the morals of an alley cat,” Biden remarked. In response, Trump, with his experience from rallies and reality TV, loudly criticized Biden’s record. “I’m friends with a lot of people. They cannot believe what happened to the United States of America. We’re no longer respected,” Trump declared. At one point, Trump mocked Biden’s faltering delivery, saying, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either.”

Vice President Steps In

Vice President Kamala Harris quickly moved to mitigate the damage. In a live CNN interview, Harris defended Biden’s overall performance and achievements, though she acknowledged the shaky start to the debate. “Yes, there was a slow start, but it was a strong finish,” she stated. Kate Bedingfield, a former Biden communications director, also expressed disappointment in the debate’s outcome, calling it “a really disappointing” evening for Biden. A CNN poll indicated that 67 percent of viewers believed Trump won the debate.

As Democrats prepare to officially nominate Biden in August in Chicago, the possibility of changing course seems slim unless Biden himself decides to step down. Biden has been trying to fend off Trump’s claims that he lacks the vigor necessary for the presidency. However, Julian Zelizer, a historian at Princeton University, noted that Biden’s performance likely intensified concerns among his supporters. “Biden fueled the basic perception that has continued to overshadow him,” Zelizer said. Hazel Reitz, attending a watch party in San Francisco, expressed her loyalty to Biden but admitted, “I can’t understand a word that he says. Isn’t it sad?”

Focus on Personal Attacks

Throughout the debate, neither candidate introduced new policies, focusing instead on criticizing each other’s records. One of the most personal moments came when Biden referred to reports that Trump had called soldiers who died in the Normandy landing “suckers.” Biden also mentioned his late son Beau, who served in Iraq and later died of cancer, adding a poignant note to the debate’s intense atmosphere.

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