CNN host Jake Tapper on Tuesday blasted Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi) for defending President Biden’s poor debate performance, arguing that the debate was more than “just a bad debate.”
When Tapper asked how concerned he was about Biden’s position following his disastrous debate defeat, Thompson replied, “Well, like all of us who have committed to making sure Donald Trump is not back in the White House, we want to do our best.”
“I’m still going to put President Biden at the forefront. He’s a good guy. His policies are working. We’ll see how that works,” Thompson added. “If the new strategy — appealing to the public, doing various town hall-style meetings and interviews — works, then that’s fine.”
Thompson said Democrats needed to “come together” and “we’re not going to base everything on one bad debate.”
Biden’s stuttering and disorganized speech during last week’s debate has raised concerns among Democrats: His voice was hoarse for much of the 90-minute debate, he frequently paused and seemed unable to organize his thoughts.
“I’ve been in public service a long time. Sometimes you have not good days. That debate was not a good day. But it’s not the end of the campaign,” Thompson said. “It’s not the end of his reelection campaign. But we have to do something to reassure the public that it wasn’t a one-off, that it was just a bad day.”
Tapper interjected, telling Thompson, “With all due respect, this isn’t just bad arguing. We’ve seen other cases and I’m not just talking about aging.”
“We all get older. My parents are in their 80s. I get it. If you’re lucky enough to live into your 80s, that’s what happens. It doesn’t just seem like aging, does it?” Tupper added.
“I don’t see it that way,” Thompson said, noting he has known Biden for some time.
“Different things happen as people mature, but if you look at the policies and the principles of this administration, you know that’s what keeps America great. He’s a great leader. He’s respected by people all over the world, and that’s worth it,” the congressman said. “So when you look at the two candidates running for president, Joe Biden is the right person to be.”
Tapper began the interview by pointing to a new CNN poll that found three-quarters of voters believe Democrats have a better chance of winning the 2024 election if they field a candidate other than Biden. A majority of Democrats and left-leaning independents, 56%, said the same, according to the poll.
The same CNN poll continued to list Vice President Harris as an alternative to the party’s nominee, placing her closer to former President Trump than to Biden.
Despite calls from within his own party for him to stand down in the 2024 election, the president and his reelection campaign insist he has no plans to withdraw from the race.
Biden has already won the primary and the majority of delegates, so he cannot be easily ousted at the Democratic National Convention in August. The final decision is up to him.
