Biden Defends Debate Performance, Vows to Win NC and White House

Despite criticism from Democrats, Biden insists he "can do this job" and that Trump is a "danger" to the country.

President Joe Biden acknowledged his less-than-stellar debate performance on Thursday but vowed to win North Carolina and the White House at a rally on Friday. Despite calls from some Democratic officials and pundits to step aside, Biden remains confident in his abilities and focused on defeating former President Donald Trump.

"I know I'm not a young man … I don't debate as well as I used to," Biden told the crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina. "But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth."

Biden Defends Debate Performance, Vows to Win NC and White House

Biden accused Trump of setting "a new record for the most lies told in a single debate," citing his opponent's claims about the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare for veterans, and crime. He also pointed out Trump's felony convictions, referring to him as "a one-man crime wave."

The 81-year-old Biden sought to reassure voters and members of his party that he is capable of being president amid concerns about his age. "The stakes are too high," Biden said. "Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this nation."

Biden Defends Debate Performance, Vows to Win NC and White House

Pundits declared Trump the winner of the debate based not on the strength of his answers but rather Biden's comparative weakness. The incumbent president spoke haltingly and appeared to lose his train of thought at times.

In his response to a question on the economy, Biden uttered the confusing phrase "Excuse me, with, dealing with," before concluding with "we finally beat Medicare." Trump seized on this, saying, "That’s right, he did beat Medicaid, he beat it to death. And he’s destroying Medicare."

Biden Defends Debate Performance, Vows to Win NC and White House

Later, after Biden's rambling answer on immigration, Trump called out his opponent's incoherent speech: "I really don’t know what he said on this, and I don’t think he knows what he said either."

Despite the criticism, Biden gave no indication that he intends to step aside as the Democratic presidential nominee. He has four more months and a second debate to make his case against Trump before Americans head to the polls in November.

Biden Defends Debate Performance, Vows to Win NC and White House

"I can do this job," Biden said. "I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you get back up."

Biden's post-debate rally was part of a strategy to shore up support in North Carolina, a key battleground state. He also has rallies planned in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all of which are considered electoral toss-ups.

Trump, meanwhile, is holding dueling rallies in these key states, aiming to expand the 2024 map. The winner of the 2024 presidential election will likely need to win a combination of swing states, such as North Carolina, and traditionally red or blue states that could flip.