A day after his disastrous debate performance prompted calls for him to step aside, Joe Biden delivered a fiery campaign speech in North Carolina aggressively attacking Donald Trump while acknowledging his own age and shortcomings.

Washington

The 2024 United States presidential election between Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump is set to take place this November. 

U.S. Presidential Election

Joe Biden recently delivered a campaign speech in North Carolina, where he aggressively attacked Donald Trump and addressed the criticisms following his recent debate performance. Acknowledging his age and past shortcomings, Biden emphasized his belief in truth-telling and resilience. His stance was met with a strong response from the crowd.

During the debate, Biden struggled with several points, prompting private discussions among Democrats regarding his capability to continue as a candidate. Even anti-Trump Republicans expressed doubts about Biden's ability to defeat Trump in the upcoming election. Voter opinions outside the White House reflected concern over both candidates' suitability for office.

While Donald Trump used Biden's debate performance as material for mockery, Biden maintained his determination to run for another term. The possibility of replacing him as the Democratic nominee was discussed, with names such as Vice President Kamala Harris, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and California Governor Gavin Newsom being mentioned as potential candidates. However, any changes would ultimately depend on Biden's willingness to step aside, a decision he gave no indication of considering during his rally.



Biden tries to shake off debate disaster

Even as they chanted four more years, surely they all wondered what on earth happened with Joe Biden at that debate. Is he indeed too old and mentally unfit for office? I know I'm not a young man, to state the obvious. Biden said he knows he's lost a step or two but then took this shot at Donald Trump. Well I know what I do know, I know how to tell the truth. And as for himself. When you get knocked down you get back up. The crowd roared, perhaps thinking where was this guy on stage at the debate? Because that Joe Biden, with his age a key issue going in, stumbled often and badly. I'm eligible for what I've been able to do with the COVID, excuse me, dealing with everything we have to do with, look, if we finally beat Medicare. Almost immediately, private whispers among Democrats that Biden's no longer up for the job. Even vehemently anti-Trump Republicans weighed in. Nothing else matters but keeping Trump out of the White House. The problem is, Joe Biden last night, I think conclusively showed that he can't defeat Trump. So if I'm a Democrat right now, I've got to find somebody who can beat Trump. Outside the White House, voters signaled dismay and deep concern. I don't know what to think. I don't know if he's suitable to be running and I know Donald Trump isn't suitable to be running. And I'm quite scared. All of it fodder for Donald Trump, now using Biden's stumbling for mockery. He studied very hard. He studied so hard that he didn't know what the hell he was doing. And yet, said Biden. I would not be running again if I didn't believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job. Yes you can! Yes you can! Yes you can, they chanted. Even as so many now wonder, but can he? Really? Paul, the other thing a lot of people are wondering is, can he be replaced as the Democratic nominee at this point? Yeah, can you believe we're even talking about this, Ian? Yes, there's a way and no, it's not too late. But key to replacing him is it'd be a heck of a lot easier if Biden agrees to it. Forcing him off the ticket is a whole other ballgame. But if he agrees to go and he sets free all the delegates he won in the primaries, you could have an open nominating convention this summer to find someone new. And that is entirely within party rules. And then of course you need those new candidates. Yeah, Vice President Kamala Harris is an obvious option, but her polling numbers are less than excellent. Other names bandied about include Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Gavin Newsom, governor of California. But it really hinges on Biden willingly stepping aside. Someone would have to sit him down and say, you know, it's for the good of the country, Joe, you did your job, but it's time. At that rally today, Biden gave no hint he's even thinking about that. Democrats have until their convention in August to get this sorted. It's a tiny window of opportunity, Ian, but it's there. Paul Hunter in Washington.

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U.S. Presidential Election