Our follow-up to the debate: In the first debate of the American presidential election, Joe Biden sinks against a Donald Trump faithful to himself
The wife’s defense
Jill Biden has strongly defended her 81-year-old husband against calls to withdraw his candidacy, saying that “Joe is not only the right person for the job, he is the only person for the job.”
Both traveled to New Jersey on Saturday for a fundraiser in which the state’s Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, was also participating. “I understand your concern after the debate,” declared the American president, saying: “I will fight harder.”
Doubts rise
Joe Biden’s candidacy has been in doubt since his disastrous performance in the debate against former President Donald Trump on Thursday night, with his words swallowed, sentences slurred and his expression haggard, a poor performance that shook his supporters and caused the media to react.
In an editorial, the prestigious American daily New York Times portrayed Joe Biden as a “shadow of a leader” after he “failed his own test” in the televised duel. “The greatest public service Mr. Biden could perform today would be to announce that he will not seek reelection,” the editorial board wrote, adding, however, that he has been “an admirable president.”
About it: After his “disastrous” debate performance, several Democrats ask Joe Biden to throw in the towel
The campaign team ensures that the funds come in
No Democratic Party figure has yet joined the call for him to step down. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton reiterated their support for Joe Biden on Friday.
According to a public memo from Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the head of the Democratic candidate’s campaign, an internal poll after the debate concluded that “voters’ opinions (had) not changed.” Jennifer O’Malley Dillon also claims that support increased during the debate and after it. According to her, $27 million (25 million euros) was raised Friday night.
