Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island expressed his deep concern and disappointment regarding President Biden’s performance in the recent presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta. In an interview with 12 News, Whitehouse described the debate as horrifying, pointing out the exchange of blips from Biden and a barrage of lies from Trump as not reflective of what one would hope for in a presidential debate.
Despite his criticism of Biden’s performance, Whitehouse emphasized the importance of Democrats remaining united in their mission to defeat Trump. However, reports emerged post-debate suggesting that Democrats were in a state of panic over Biden’s showing, leading to concerns about his health and mental capacity.
Whitehouse stressed the necessity for transparency from the president and his team regarding Biden’s condition, urging them to address whether the debate was an anomaly or indicative of his current state. The senator’s remarks come in the wake of increasing speculation about Biden’s ability to effectively lead as the Democratic nominee.
Following the debate, media outlets reported on calls from some Democratic Party officials for Biden to consider declining the party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August. Biden himself acknowledged that he may not debate as well as he used to but reassured supporters of his competence to carry out the responsibilities of the presidency.
Other Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Pete Aguilar, also acknowledged the underwhelming nature of Biden’s debate performance. Jeffries described it as such during an appearance on MSNBC, while Aguilar characterized it as a tough night for the president in an interview with CNN.
While Whitehouse’s criticism sheds light on the concerns surrounding Biden’s debate performance, it also underscores the importance of transparency and honesty in political campaigns. As the election season progresses, it remains to be seen how Biden and his team will address these criticisms and reassure voters of his ability to lead effectively.