WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Barack Obama has publicly expressed his support for President Joe Biden following a challenging debate performance on Thursday. This comes as some Democrats have begun to question whether Biden has the ability to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Obama Offers Support
“Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know,” Obama said in a post on X, referencing his own experience during the first debate with 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, which was widely considered a win for Romney. Obama emphasized the larger contrasts between Biden and Trump, a strategy other Democrats have echoed since the debate.
Key Contrasts Highlighted
Obama’s post stressed the choice between Biden and Trump: “This election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit,” Obama stated. “Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”
Democrats Rally Behind Biden
Prominent Democrats quickly rallied behind Biden on Friday, despite the debate performance where Biden stumbled over his words and struggled to articulate key differences from Trump on crucial issues like abortion rights. Influential Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) advised Biden to “stay the course.”
Concerns and Calls for Change
Despite this support, there is ongoing concern within the Democratic Party. During and after the debate, some Democratic strategists and donors began considering alternatives to Biden at the top of the ticket. On Friday morning, several liberal columnists also called for Biden to step aside.
Congressional Reactions
Some congressional Democrats suggested that Biden should not participate in further debates after Thursday’s performance, although they did not call for his replacement as the nominee. Biden himself acknowledged the challenges at a Friday rally, admitting that he does not debate as well as he used to but affirmed that he knows “how to do this job.”
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