House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) acknowledged that President Biden had a “disappointing performance” in the first presidential debate, despite most Democrats in leadership remaining silent on the issue.
Biden debated former President Trump on Thursday, but just minutes into the debate, concerns were raised about whether the president would be able to retain his Democratic nomination. Viewers noticed his voice sounding hoarse and his thoughts trailing off throughout the evening.
Democrats, including the president himself, acknowledged Biden wasn’t at his best, and Jeffries called the night’s events a “setback.”
“I have been very clear, as President Biden and his campaign have acknowledged, that his performance in Thursday’s debate was disappointing,” Jeffries told MSNBC on Sunday.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said President Joe Biden’s debate performance was a “setback” and that it’s time for a “resurrection” within the party. (Drew Ungerer/Getty Images)
Jeffries argued Democrats could use the debate as a “chance to come back” as they work to retake the House of Representatives in November.
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“I believe setbacks are just preparation for comebacks, and the reality is that Joe Biden has faced tragedies and trials and hardships throughout his life and has had to bounce back from them,” Biden, a Democrat, said Sunday. “We all need to stay positive and clearly communicate a positive message about why Democratic policies are best suited to address the challenges facing the American people.”
President Biden stands at the podium during a debate with former President Trump, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (Kevin D. Lyles, The Washington Post)
“I think it was a tough night,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), another senior House Democrat, told CNN after the debate, but added that his support for the president as the Democratic nominee remained unwavering.
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Fox News Digital asked several House and Senate Democratic leaders about the debate, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, but they did not return calls seeking comment.
