Thirty minutes into the presidential debate, I listened to three senior Democratic presidential campaign officials, and all had the same reaction to President Biden’s performance: It’s a disaster.
It wasn’t just that Biden failed to convince Donald Trump on the economy, overturning Roe v. Wade, Covid, taxes, temperament, or any other topic that came up during the questioning. It was Biden’s voice (low and weak) and facial expression (frozen, open mouth, occasional smirks) with answers that were rambling or vague or ended in confusion. He made remarks about health care and abortion that didn’t make a strong point, giving Trump the opportunity to say things like, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
One of the Democrats said he looked scared. Another said it was a depiction of “the emperor has no clothes” so far. The third said of the overall performance: “Don’t ask. »
Trump lied repeatedly during the debate on the pandemic, immigration and Roe v. Wade, but Biden memorably failed to hold him accountable for these lies. Trump has at times attacked Biden, but the president has not fought back.
Frank Luntz, the veteran focus group moderator who hosted a live panel during the debate, described their reactions so far: “The group is very bothered by Biden’s voice and appearance. But they are becoming increasingly angry about Trump’s personal attacks.”
“If Trump talks less,” Luntz said, “he wins. If Biden keeps talking, he loses.”
