US (Washington Insider Magazine) -President Joe Biden has assured Democratic donors of his ability to win the upcoming presidential election against Donald Trump, despite concerns following a lackluster debate performance. The 81-year-old president attended fundraising events in New York and New Jersey on Saturday, where he defended his appearance in CNN’s Presidential Debate.
Reflecting on the debate, Biden acknowledged, “I didn’t have a great night, but neither did Trump,” asserting, “I promise you we’re going to win this election.” His performance raised fresh doubts among Democrats regarding his viability as a candidate, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi describing it as “not great” and his ex-communications director, Kate Bedingfield, calling it “really disappointing.”
Voter skepticism about Biden’s mental fitness has been a recurring theme. A CBS News poll from June indicated that 65% of registered voters questioned his cognitive abilities, a figure that surged to 72% following the debate.
Despite the criticism, Biden’s campaign chairwoman, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, noted that internal polling revealed “voters’ opinions were not changed,” asserting that media narratives often lead to temporary polling dips. While the campaign recognized that the debate did not meet expectations, it reaffirmed Biden’s commitment to running for reelection.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, present at the fundraiser, expressed strong support for Biden, stating, “We are all with you 1,000%.” Former President Barack Obama, a beloved figure in the Democratic Party, took to social media to downplay the debate, reminding followers that “bad debate nights happen” and framing the election as a choice between someone dedicated to serving the public and someone who prioritizes self-interest.
Following the debate, Trump claimed victory, stating that Biden’s issues stem from incompetence rather than age. The former president said, “Joe Biden’s problem is not his age. It’s his competence. He’s grossly incompetent.”
Criticism of Biden’s performance extended beyond political circles, with an editorial in the New York Times calling his decision to run again a “reckless gamble.” The piece urged Democrats to consider finding a more capable candidate. Voter reactions varied, with some expressing disillusionment over the debate. Long-time Democrat Lori Gregory admitted to struggling to watch, questioning, “Is this the best our country can do?” Republican Crystal Myers-Barber remarked that while Trump seemed “level-headed,” Biden appeared “weak.”
A post-debate poll by Data for Progress revealed that 62% of likely voters believed Trump won, compared to only 30% who favored Biden. However, fundraising numbers may reflect continued enthusiasm for Biden’s candidacy; his campaign reportedly raised over $27 million from the debate through to Friday evening. Dillon emphasized that despite what the “beltway class” might suggest, data from battleground states indicates a tightly contested race remains underway.
