President Biden and his inner circle are downplaying the impact of the recent debate in Atlanta, adopting a strategy akin to police officers clearing bystanders from a car crash scene: “Nothing to see here.”
Despite acknowledging that he did not have a stellar performance, Biden’s team is emphasizing that the debate was just a small moment in a long campaign. They have been dismissing concerns about the president’s age, attributing them to media sensationalism and support from the MAGA movement.
While aides continue to push the narrative that the debate was a minor blip, critics argue that voters witnessed the exchange firsthand and cannot be convinced otherwise. Ben Rhodes, a former adviser to President Obama, highlighted the futility of denying what viewers saw with their own eyes.
In the aftermath of the debate, Biden has been deflecting focus from his performance, instead pointing out Trump’s falsehoods and attempting to reassure supporters about the campaign’s progress. Despite using teleprompters in subsequent appearances and minimizing media coverage of the debate, the president remains secluded with his team at Camp David.
Deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks maintains that the debate did not alter the election’s dynamics, but critics caution that this approach risks alienating voters and underestimating the challenge posed by Trump. Communication strategist Tommy Vietor warns against trivializing concerns about the debate and emphasizes the gravity of the upcoming election.
As Biden’s team works to shape the narrative and prevent internal discord, the focus remains on countering Trump’s agenda. However, the ultimate judgment lies with the voters, who tuned in to watch the debate in significant numbers. Despite a decline in viewership compared to previous years, the event still attracted a sizable audience.
Critics like David Remnick of The New Yorker have been vocal about Biden’s performance, describing it as concerning and potentially detrimental to the nation. The pressure is on the campaign to navigate these challenges and maintain credibility in the eyes of the electorate as the election approaches.
