Washington – Democrats defended President Biden’s reelection after serious concerns were raised over his performance at Thursday night’s debate.
Biden’s physical and mental state came under scrutiny just minutes into the debate, as he spoke with a raspy voice and seemed to lose his train of thought at times. “Everybody is panicking,” one senior Democratic source told Fox, adding that Biden “needs to step down.”
Despite the backlash, Democrats in Congress supported the president when asked by Fox News Digital whether he should remain the Democratic nominee in 2024.
One Democrat said Biden “definitely” had a bad night but should still represent the party on the general election ballot.
Trump says Biden will be ‘the nominee’ amid Democratic panic over debate performance
President Biden will take part in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election on Thursday at CNN studios in Atlanta. (Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP)
“Do I think Joe Biden had a bad night? Of course he did. He needs to get out there and talk to the American people and answer the questions that need to be asked,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. “But I know the focus is narrow, and I’m supporting Joe Biden because he’s the right person at the right time.”
Rep. Robert Garcia (R-Calif.) suggested Biden acted like that because he “was not feeling well.”
“I understand President Biden had a sore throat, but he was apparently not feeling well. At the end of the day, we’ve seen the president’s behavior for years,” Garcia said. “We know who he is, and I think if he was obviously not feeling well or had a sore throat during a 20-minute debate, 30-minute debate, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.”
Fox News Digital Focus Group Members Change Votes After Debate
“I’ll choose an honest old man over a dishonest old man any day,” Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-Iowa, told Fox News Digital.
Democratic lawmakers, including (from left) Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-IN), spoke to Fox News Digital in Washington, D.C., on Friday. (Fox News Digital)
Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana, another Democrat, said Biden “started out very slowly and then picked up the pace.”
“He got on message. He laid out compelling reasons and arguments for why the administration needed to fix the mess that the Trump administration made,” Carson said. “And I think he’s demonstrated that he’s the right person to lead. He supports law enforcement, he supports our military, he supports economic development and growth. And he’s proven that. You can see it in his record.”
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Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Illinois, also told Fox News Digital that Biden should “absolutely” represent the Democratic Party in the 2024 presidential election.
