Biden's Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats, Sparking Questions about 2024 Candidacy

President Biden's shaky performance in the first presidential debate has raised concerns among Democrats, leading to speculation about his suitability as the party's nominee in 2024.

Former President Donald Trump's decisive victory over President Biden in the campaign's first presidential debate has ignited a crucial inquiry about the 2024 campaign. The paramount question in the aftermath of the showdown is whether Biden will remain the Democratic presidential nominee in November.

The answer hinges on whether polls now shift dramatically in Trump's favor following the debate. Biden's saving grace is the entrenched voter attitudes that make it unlikely for the movement towards Trump to be as pronounced as the disparity between the candidates' performances on Thursday night.

Biden's Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats, Sparking Questions about 2024 Candidacy

Nonetheless, it is highly likely that the national race, which is currently a statistical tie, will swing in Trump's direction by at least a few points. In the swing states, which have historically favored Trump over the national electorate, there is every reason to believe that the former president will solidify his lead in at least five or six states.

During the debate, numerous spontaneous texts from grassroots Democrats expressed concern over Biden's age, cognitive capabilities, and frequent gaffes. While many found Trump incoherent at times, Biden's overall demeanor and communication skills were particularly troubling.

Biden's Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats, Sparking Questions about 2024 Candidacy

It is important to note that Trump did not appear to sway many minds on Thursday night. He evaded several questions, including those about ending the war in Ukraine, addressing the opioid crisis, and uniting the country amidst the prevailing polarization.

However, even the most ardent Biden supporters cannot deny that Trump presented himself as coherent, cogent, and correct for the majority of the debate. Biden, on the other hand, struggled with clear speech, hesitation in answering questions, and an uncertain choice of words. His closing statement failed to instill confidence in his fitness for office.

Biden's Performance Raises Concerns Among Democrats, Sparking Questions about 2024 Candidacy

Trump's response to questions about his legal challenges was not as comprehensive as it could have been, but his mention of Hunter Biden significantly neutralized the issue.

The dominant takeaway from the 90-minute faceoff is the uncertainty surrounding the Democratic Party's ability to survive a Joe Biden reelection campaign. It begs the question of whether the party's elders, led by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, should initiate a similar conversation with President Biden as Republican Party elders did with Richard Nixon in 1974, leading to his resignation.

As a Democrat eager to vote Democratic in November, it is an arduous task to support the Joe Biden we witnessed on Thursday night. Many Democrats will find it difficult to cast their vote for a candidate who exhibited such glaring deficiencies in communication and cognitive abilities.

The key question remains: Can and will Democratic leaders have a candid conversation with Biden about his suitability as a candidate in 2024? The future of the Democratic Party may depend on their response.