President Joe Biden attributed his underwhelming debate performance last week to jet lag, admitting to reporters that he “wasn’t very smart” for “travelling around the world a couple of times” before the debate.
“I didn’t listen to my staff… and then I nearly fell asleep on stage,” he said. Biden, 81, returned from travel on June 15, nearly two weeks before the June 27 debate.
These comments come amid growing concerns within his party about his mental fitness, especially after a Texas congressman called for him to step aside following the debate.
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Rep. Lloyd Doggett expressed hope that Biden would make the difficult decision to withdraw, citing his debate performance as a key factor.
Biden seemed to struggle during the debate with former President Donald Trump, prompting him to explain his travel-related fatigue at a private fundraiser in Virginia, where he also apologized for his performance and stressed the importance of his re-election.
Biden had made two separate trips to Europe within a two-week span last month. After an overnight trip from Italy on June 15, he appeared at a fundraiser with former President Barack Obama, returning to Washington DC the next day.
White House officials mentioned he was battling a cold on the debate day, though Biden did not bring up any illness in his recent comments. A White House spokeswoman stated he was not on cold medication during the debate.
Biden also spent six days at Camp David preparing for his debate against Trump. According to The New York Times, citing an unnamed source, his days began at 11:00 AM, allowing time for naps, and his debate prep was cut short by two days due to exhaustion from travel. His spokesman, Andrew Bates, clarified that Biden began working well before 11:00 AM after his exercise routine during his Camp David stay.
Voters have long been concerned about Biden’s age, with multiple polls indicating doubts about his effectiveness due to his age. Despite this, Biden remains the presumptive Democratic nominee and has vowed to stay in the race.
Rep. Doggett, 77, said the debate cemented his decision to urge Biden to step aside, emphasizing the risks of a Trump victory over concerns about Biden’s age. He called for Biden to support a new generation of leaders through an open, democratic process, while maintaining respect for Biden’s achievements.
Biden is scheduled for a primetime interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday, his first since the debate.
While some Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns about Biden’s age and stamina, Doggett is the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to call for him to withdraw. Other top Democrats have acknowledged the concerns but stressed that the decision to leave the race lies with Biden alone.
Some have defended him on liberal-leaning MSNBC, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Jim Clyburn expressing support. Congressman Jamie Raskin noted the debate created a “difficult situation” but emphasized the party’s unity and need for Biden at its center.
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