The US Democratic party is grappling with tough decisions in the wake of this week’s presidential debate. Devout fans of Joe Biden may draw similarities between his sluggish performance and Barack Obama’s initial defeat to Mitt Romney in the 2012 debate series; they may argue that despite a rough night, a comeback is possible, mirroring Obama’s recovery. Others may cite Biden’s spirited State of the Union speech earlier this year as evidence that his performance on Thursday night was a blip.
To take such a viewpoint, however, is to ignore the stark reality that was witnessed by millions in Atlanta. Biden thoroughly missed the mark that had been set for him, solidifying the widely held perspective – accepted by 75% of Americans and a majority of those who cast their votes for him in 2020 – that he is too aged to undertake another term of four years. His stuttering dialogue, jumbled sentences, and noticeable physical decline made his adversary – only three years younger – appear at least ten years his junior. With no opposition, Donald Trump was able to engage in deception unchecked, fortifying his frontrunner position.
By numerous standards, Biden has been a successful president, effectively navigating major climate and infrastructure legislation through a divided Congress. His stewardship brought about swift economic recovery and employment growth, mended ties with global allies, and presented decisive leadership against Russia’s Ukraine aggression. Nonetheless, there are also negatives on his scorecard that have wounded him on the domestic front: escalating living costs and the immigration crisis at the Mexico border have combined to decimate his approval ratings, while the Gaza conflict has split his own party.
Policy played a limited role in the lamentable spectacle on Thursday night. The quality of the debate fell devastatingly short, reminiscent of the 2020 clashes between the two men. The distinction this time, however, is that Biden appeared unarguably – according to many, disqualifyingly – elderly.
It’s an accepted notion within the realm of US politics that presidential debates do not sway the end results. However, this upcoming Thursday might challenge that perception. The Democrats stand at a crucial crossroad. One path possibly leads to a defeat for Biden, while the other takes them towards an unexpected and uncharted shift in strategy that might result in turbulence. The significant change this week is the increasing consideration within some factions of the party for the latter, albeit risky and unpredictable, option. It’s now conceivable for a moderate Democratic leader such as governors Gretchen Whitmer or Gavin Newsom to challenge Trump in the fall, being viewed as a preferable alternative. Nonetheless, the process to reach such an outcome by the Democrats’ convention in mid-August remains murky unless Biden withdraws, a move that is still deemed improbable.