Biden’s Debate Disaster
How 10 Minutes Could End a Presidency
ATLANTA, Ga. – If President Joe Biden loses November’s election, historians might pinpoint just 10 fateful minutes as the turning point. The scene was set in CNN’s Atlanta studios, where the 81-year-old President shuffled onto the stage to face former President Donald Trump in what could be the most consequential debate in American history.
A Rocky Start
From the moment Biden stiffly took his place eight feet from Trump, a political disaster began to unfold. Within minutes, it was clear that Biden’s performance was faltering. His debate coach, Ron Klain, has long argued that “while you can lose a debate at any time, you can only win it in the first 30 minutes.” By that metric, Biden’s showing was a debacle.
Democratic Panic
As Biden stumbled through his opening remarks, Democratic panic spread rapidly. His approval rating was already below 40%, and his campaign was neck-and-neck with Trump in the polls. The debate was meant to be Biden’s chance to reassure voters and solidify his position. Instead, his hesitant and often incoherent answers exacerbated concerns about his ability to serve a second term.
Trump’s Restraint
Trump, on the other hand, managed to avoid the pitfalls that Biden’s campaign had hoped to exploit. Despite his own history of inflammatory rhetoric and falsehoods, Trump maintained a surprising level of restraint for much of the debate. His calculated digs at Biden’s mental acuity landed hard, with one particularly cutting remark: “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said, either.”
Biden’s Missed Opportunities
Biden’s performance was plagued by missed opportunities and gaffes. He failed to effectively challenge Trump on key issues such as abortion and immigration, and at one point, confusingly declared, “We finally beat Medicare,” before trailing off into silence. His struggle to articulate his vision and defend his record left many wondering if he could endure another four years in office.
The Aftermath
The immediate aftermath of the debate saw Democratic leaders scrambling. Serious conversations about the sustainability of Biden’s candidacy were reportedly taking place behind the scenes. With just two months before the Democratic National Convention, some were questioning whether Biden should remain the party’s nominee.
A Dim Future
The debate’s fallout could prove devastating for Biden’s reelection bid. His best moments, including a scathing critique of Trump’s threat to democracy, came too late in the 90-minute showdown to reverse the damage. The president’s inability to counter Trump’s falsehoods and defend his own policies left a lasting impression of weakness.
The Broader Implications
Biden’s performance raises broader questions about the strategic choices of his campaign. The decision to push for a debate with Trump now seems questionable, as it provided the former president with a platform to overshadow Biden’s vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the debate undermined efforts to project Biden as a vigorous leader capable of handling the demands of the presidency.
Looking Ahead
With another debate scheduled for September, the path forward for Biden is fraught with uncertainty. His campaign must navigate a landscape of growing doubts and internal dissent while attempting to rally a disenchanted electorate. The stakes could not be higher, as the nation stands on the brink of a potentially transformative election.
As Vice President Kamala Harris aptly noted post-debate, “People can debate on style points. But ultimately, this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance.” Whether Biden can reclaim his footing and convince voters of his capability remains to be seen. For now, the 10-minute unraveling on that Atlanta stage looms large over his political future.
