All President Joe Biden needed to do during the first presidential debate June 27 was ensure the American people he could stand up to former President Donald Trump as a strong and competent leader. Considering Trump’s well-documented, tenuous relationship with the truth, this shouldn’t have been too difficult.
However, Biden stumbled over his words, lost his train of thought and mumbled through his proposed policies on stage. The 81-year-old’s debate performance caused about 45 percent of registered voters to believe Biden should step down as the 2024 presidential nominee, according to a recent poll conducted by CBS. It also sent Democrats in battleground states like Georgia in panic mode.
Georgia has been a key state for American politics over the past decade. From the Trump indictments in Atlanta to the historic 2020 election where the state turned from red to blue — helping Biden win the presidency -- Georgia remains a important playing field for elections. Once again, all eyes are on the Peach State to see exactly how they handle Biden’s disastrous debate performance.
According to the latest poll conducted by ABC’s FiveThirtyEight, Trump currently holds a 6.3 percent lead over Biden in Georgia. This is a 1.3 percent increase from Trump’s original lead right before the debate. Although Allan Lichtman, the American University professor who correctly predicted the last 9 out of 10 elections, said removing Biden at this stage would cost Democrats the election, some in Georgia are considering choosing another candidate heading into November.
Although many are concerned about Biden’s abilities, especially post debate, important politicians are urging their party members to remain loyal to the incumbent.
Georgia Dem. Senator Raphael Warnock said the president should “absolutely not” drop out of the running. Warnock continues to vocalize his support for Biden despite his “bad” performance. “Not only does he [Biden] have a tough mind, [but] he has a tender heart,” Warnock told NBC. “Donald Trump has neither.”
Even President Barack Obama tweeted in support of his former running mate saying Biden remains someone who tells the truth...unlike his opponent.
Warnock agrees with Obama that “bad debates happen,” and he doesn’t think one debate should negate the dedication Biden has shown over the last four years. “And thats what Joe Biden has been doing his entire life of public service, and over the last four years, he’s been showing up for the American people,” Warnock said.
Georgia Democrats met the day after the debate for a press conference in support of Biden. “In the next four years we will grow more jobs, we will grow more opportunities, we will grow a better economy, we will grow a better climate because Joe Biden has put in the work,” said former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
As we inch closer to the first Tuesday in November, Democrats are focusing on Biden’s overall political track record while capitalizing on Trump’s repetitive falsehoods and straight-up lies to the American people.
It seems Democrats are sticking by Biden, but in Georgia, voters might need a bit more convincing.