President Joe Biden’s aides and allies launched a full-scale effort to mitigate the fallout from his weak debate performance on Thursday night, circulating talking points among Democrats, fielding phone calls from anxious donors, and revising the president’s speech for Friday afternoon.
Biden’s hoarse voice and subdued delivery unsettled Democratic leaders who had hoped for an energetic performance to allay concerns about his capacity to handle the presidency’s demands.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy acknowledged to NBC News that Biden “had a bad night,” adding that he has received some nervous calls from donors ahead of a fundraising event he is hosting for Biden on Saturday. Despite the concerns, no donors have backed out of the event, and Murphy remains confident in Biden’s resilience.
The debate debacle in Atlanta heightened a sense of foreboding among Democrats that had been growing for months. Quietly, some strategists are now considering potential replacements at the top of the ticket should Biden step down.
Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle suggested that the party needs to consider its options in light of the debate but emphasized the urgency of the situation.
The uncertainty following Biden’s performance extended to his own team, with The New York Times editorial board even calling on him to exit the race. Biden campaign aides debated whether Vice President Kamala Harris should appear on television to address the fallout. While some feared she might outshine Biden, Harris ultimately used the platform to criticize Donald Trump and highlight Biden’s achievements over the past three and a half years.
To reassure worried Democrats, the Biden campaign circulated talking points highlighting internal research indicating that Trump’s debate performance alienated many viewers. Despite Biden’s rough start, 75% of viewers reportedly had deep concerns about Trump’s temperament, and the majority believed Biden addressed issues they care about more effectively.
Biden acknowledged his debate missteps during a rally in North Carolina on Friday, telling supporters, “I know I’m not a young man… but I know what I do know — I know how to tell the truth!”
Despite the debate’s potential to shake up the presidential race, many Democratic officeholders continue to support Biden, either out of loyalty or fear of the chaos his sudden retirement could cause. Biden’s campaign hopes the debate will soon be overshadowed by Trump’s scandals and leadership deficiencies.
Campaign spokesman Michael Tyler dismissed any suggestion that Biden might step aside, reaffirming that Biden is the party’s nominee. Biden plans to participate in another debate with Trump on September 10, according to senior campaign officials.
However, some party officials doubt Biden can recover in time. A Democratic state party chair, speaking anonymously, compared the situation to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision not to retire, which ultimately allowed conservatives to secure a supermajority.
Campaign aides admit that Biden squandered an opportunity to improve his standing. They had hoped the debate would boost Biden’s stagnant approval ratings, but instead, his performance overshadowed Trump’s repeated misstatements.
Some Biden loyalists criticized the preparation he received, with former South Carolina Democratic Party chairman and Biden fundraiser Dick Harpootlian calling for those responsible for debate prep to be fired.
Despite the disappointment, Biden campaign advisers insisted the debate did not significantly alter voters’ preferences. Biden pollster Geoff Garin noted that while the debate was a missed opportunity, it did not change the election’s trajectory.
The campaign reported raising $14 million on debate day and the morning after, marking the best hour of fundraising since the campaign’s launch over a year ago.
However, Biden’s approval rating remains stagnant, causing impatience among some officials and donors. A close White House associate admitted that the debate revealed Biden’s limitations, shaking the confidence of those who hoped he would embody energetic leadership.
Philadelphia-based Biden fundraiser Alan Kessler urged patience, suggesting that discussions about potential replacements should be considered but not rushed.
Ultimately, the decision to remain on the ticket rests largely with Biden. His overwhelming victory in the Democratic primaries and control over his delegates make it unlikely they would oust him against his will.
Convincing Biden to step aside would require intervention from influential party figures like former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, whose endorsement was pivotal in Biden securing the 2020 nomination.
A Biden fundraiser, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the decision must prioritize the country’s future over individual ambitions, noting that the party has several qualified leaders ready to take up the mantle.
Prominent Democrats like Obama and Pelosi have largely stayed loyal. Obama tweeted support, acknowledging bad debate nights but stressing the election’s critical choice between Biden and Trump. Pelosi reaffirmed her support for Biden, praising his presidency and urging Democrats to “stay the course.”