WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden’s struggles were evident in Hollywood before his debate with Donald Trump.
During a fundraiser hosted by George Clooney, Biden appeared fatigued, possibly due to jet lag from traveling from Italy. This lackluster performance raised concerns among the attendees, sparking anxiety among Democrats about Biden’s ability to lead the party to victory in November.
Following the debate, numerous Democratic lawmakers publicly called for Biden to step down, expressing doubts about his candidacy. Mega-donors also hesitated to continue funding a campaign they believed may be doomed.
Even after Biden’s NATO press conference, the calls for his resignation persisted, with some prominent figures like Michael Moore and James Carville urging him to leave the race.
This internal turmoil has left Democrats fearful of a possible Trump victory in the upcoming election.
As the debate fallout continued, Democratic lawmakers criticized the White House for sheltering Biden from public scrutiny, leading to his subpar performance on stage. Meanwhile, Biden’s camp expressed disappointment at the disloyalty displayed by some party members.
Despite the ongoing debate within the party, many Democrats remain united in their goal to prevent a Trump re-election by supporting Biden, hoping he can regain his footing and restore confidence in his candidacy.
Various pivotal moments have fueled this internal conflict within the Democratic Party:
June 27
Biden’s lackluster debate performance in Atlanta shocked Democratic officials and voters, who had previously viewed the 81-year-old candidate as too old but had never seen him in such a weakened state. The post-G7 summit appearance in Italy also raised concerns about his health and potential to lead.
Following an event with George Clooney and Barack Obama, where Biden failed to energize the crowd, doubts began to emerge about his ability to compete against Trump.
Despite initial claims of illness affecting his debate performance, Biden’s aides privately questioned the viability of his campaign. Calls for his resignation were met with mixed responses, with the prevailing sentiment being to give him a chance to prove himself before making any drastic decisions.
At his NATO press conference, Biden displayed a stronger command of policy issues, alleviating some concerns about his candidacy.
The ‘bedwetting brigade’
Following the debate, Democrats grappled with Biden’s lackluster performance, with some even referring to those expressing doubts as the ‘bedwetting brigade’. Prominent party members emphasized Biden’s past accomplishments and the support he had, downplaying the concerns raised by his critics.
As public polling failed to show a clear advantage for Biden, internal divisions within the party continued to simmer, with some members openly questioning his ability to win against Trump.
Despite the initial backlash, Biden continued to press forward, engaging with Democratic governors and other party leaders to shore up support.
The ‘freak-out’
As more Democrats openly questioned Biden’s candidacy, prominent party figures like Michael Moore and Rob Reiner called for his resignation. This led to further internal rifts within the party, with some members voicing support for Biden while others saw him as a liability.
Democratic lawmakers in Congress weighed in on the debate fallout, with some calling for Biden to step aside to avoid a potential defeat in the upcoming election.
Despite the growing dissent, Biden remained defiant, vowing to continue his campaign and urging party members to unite in the face of the Trump threat.
Panic 2.0
In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Biden’s performance failed to reassure Democrats, who expressed heightened concerns about his capabilities. Former Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod criticized Biden’s disconnect with voters, while other prominent figures urged him to consider stepping down.
Several Democratic governors and senators voiced support for Biden, but also emphasized the need for a more vigorous campaign effort to counter Trump’s momentum.
As calls for Biden’s resignation persisted, party members remained divided on the best course of action, with some advocating for a change in leadership to ensure a Democratic victory.
Gone Fishing
Amid the escalating tensions within the party, Democratic lawmakers like Rep. Mary Peltola opted to step back and focus on personal activities, signaling a temporary respite in the internal debate.
Despite conflicting opinions within the party, Biden’s allies intensified their efforts to rally support for him, leading to a brief pause in the defections from his camp.
However, further calls for Biden’s resignation from influential figures like Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Peter Welch reignited the debate within the party, as members grappled with the prospect of a contested election against Trump.
As the internal struggle continues, Democrats face a critical decision about the future of Biden’s candidacy and the party’s chances in the upcoming election.
Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani, Colleen Long and Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.
