Staff Reports
The Democrats are hoping that President Joe Biden will shine in the upcoming debate following a strong State of the Union address, which allayed worries about his presidential bid in 2024. The Republicans have been highlighting Biden’s verbal slips and lapses in memory to argue that he is not fit for a second term. Worries about his mental acuity seemed to be confirmed when the special counsel described him as a “well-meaning, elderly man.” Despite this, Biden’s energetic State of the Union speech helped calm Democratic concerns, although polls continue to show him trailing behind Donald Trump in the 2024 rematch.
The Democrats are counting on Biden to deliver a similar performance in the upcoming debate after his State of the Union success. Political observers question whether the early debate will have a significant impact on the presidential race, as previous debates between candidates did not occur until September in the 2020 election. However, for the Democrats, it could serve as a fresh start, especially as Biden is trailing behind in several battleground states.
NEW: Democrats count on Biden bringing State of the Union performance to Trump debate
Co-byline w/ @marisa_schultz https://t.co/QbcqMa1Nne
— David Sivak (@DISivak) May 30, 2024
While concerns about Biden’s performance persist, the Democrats are confident that he will rise to the occasion in the upcoming debate. They anticipate that Biden will exceed expectations, especially given the low bar that has been set for him, and believe that the debate could potentially shift the momentum in his favor. The Democratic National Convention in August and the second debate with Trump in September also provide opportunities for Biden to dispel concerns about his candidacy.
Despite attempts to paint Biden as mentally unfit, the Democrats point out that Trump is only slightly younger and highlight the Republicans’ efforts to exaggerate Biden’s verbal slip-ups. The debate poses a risk for Biden to provide fresh material for the Republicans, but it also offers him the opportunity to surpass expectations on a high-profile stage. Republicans admit that setting low expectations for Biden could backfire, especially if he performs well during the debate.
The upcoming debate is viewed as a more significant liability for Biden, with Republicans believing that the president would not have agreed to it if he were not behind in the polls. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has sought to portray Biden as reluctant to appear on stage by demanding additional debates. Despite the uncertainties, the Democrats remain optimistic about Biden’s chances, drawing parallels to previous moments in history where an underestimated candidate emerged victorious.
In summary, the upcoming debate presents a pivotal opportunity for President Joe Biden to sway public opinion and potentially turn the tide in his favor, despite concerns about his debate performance and trailing poll numbers.
