An image that sends chills down the spines of all Democrats. Joe Biden, who had called for this face-to-face meeting with his Republican predecessor to be held early in the campaign, failed during this first debate, Thursday June 27, 2024, on CNNa crucial opportunity to reassure the millions of Americans in front of their screens about their vitality and health.
On stage, the Democratic leader often appeared confused, mincing his words and getting confused more than once. We take stock of this first debate, which could already be a turning point in the campaign.
No recognition of victory?
Donald Trump, convicted in criminal proceedings at the end of May, has largely imposed his style, multiplying exaggerations and untruths, particularly on immigration, without the intervention of the two journalists from CNN livening up the evening.
Notably, the Republican, president from 2017 to 2021, who never recognized his defeat against Joe Biden four years ago, did not commit during the show to unconditionally recognizing the result of his duel against the Democrat on November 5.
He also once again relieved himself of any responsibility for the attack carried out by his supporters against Congress in Washington on January 6, 2021.
Inflation et Ukraine
In substance, the candidates discussed at length the questions of inflation, immigration and support for Ukraine. On inflation, Donald Trump estimated that Joe Biden “didn’t do a good job. He did a bad job.” “Inflation is killing our country”he added, while inflation reached 9.1% in 2022, before falling to 3.3% in May 2024.
Donald Trump continued his attack on his successor over the war in Ukraine, and in particular the billions spent by the United States to support Ukraine. According to him, the Russian invasion would never have happened if the United States had a « leader ». He also accused Joe Biden of behaving “in Palestinian” on the issue of the conflict in Gaza.
Abortion and immigration
Joe Biden, with an often hoarse voice – his camp indicated that he had a cold – attacked a subject that he knows is delicate for the billionaire, reproaching him for his action « terrible » against the right to abortion.
He also accused Donald Trump of ” to lie “ claiming that illegal immigration was causing crime to soar. “There is no data to support what he says”declared Joe Biden, while immigration is one of the main subjects of this presidential campaign.
“I think we did well”said the Democrat during a stop at a Georgia restaurant after the show, asserting that he is “hard to argue with a liar”.
Trump wins for two-thirds of viewers
Since American presidential campaigns entered the age of television more than 60 years ago with the debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, form has mattered as much as substance.
According to a survey by CNNconducted among viewers, the verdict is nevertheless clear: two thirds of them judged that Donald Trump had won the match.
Distressed reactions and calls to withdraw from anonymous Democrats spread through the press as soon as the debate ended.
“Joe Biden’s performance during the debate was disappointing, there’s no other way to say it”recognized Kate Bedingfield, former White House communications director during her first years in office. “It was definitely a disaster”estimated political scientist Larry Sabato.
Sent to try to put out the fire, US Vice President Kamala Harris conceded that Joe Biden had been “slow to start” but that he had “finished strong”.
Turning point in the countryside
Republican Nikki Haley, Donald Trump’s former primary rival and whose votes are particularly sought by both candidates, went so far as to suggest that Joe Biden would not be “the Democratic candidate for election”urging Republicans to “stay on guard”.
Such a scenario is in fact extremely implausible and Joe Biden should, barring any major surprises, be nominated by his party for the November presidential election during the Democratic convention in Chicago in mid-August.
Joe Biden’s poor performance most likely marks a turning point in a campaign that has so far been extremely tight: the two candidates are neck and neck in states likely to swing the election.
