Is Joe Biden weak due to poor preparation and exhaustion?

The 2024 US presidential election debate between President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump has recently become a hot topic, not only because of its content but also because of the way the two candidates performed on stage. This 90-minute debate has left many echoes in the hearts of the public and experts.

Poor preparation and exhaustion

Multiple sources from President Joe Biden's allies and aides said a series of poor decisions by senior advisers led to an unexpected debate.

During the 90-minute debate on June 27, Donald Trump, 78, repeated a series of assertions claiming he won the 2020 election, despite providing no evidence to support it.

These statements not only caused controversy but also increased tension in the debate, causing the public and experts to question the accuracy and responsibility of the statements.

Notably, Joe Biden has failed to effectively refute Donald Trump’s false claims. His fumbling and inaction have sparked calls from Democrats for him to end his bid for a second term, with some calling for his top aides to “examine their consciences” or resign.

One of the main factors mentioned was that President Joe Biden did not have enough time to rest before the debate. Joe Biden's aides requested that he rest to ensure his health was at its best, but this request was not met. President Joe Biden entered the debate in a state of exhaustion, which seriously affected his ability to concentrate and react quickly.

President Joe Biden’s preparation has been long and intense. He has participated in practice sessions and mock debates to grasp the key issues. However, this has not given him enough time to rest and recover. Some aides believe that Joe Biden “overtrained,” leading to his poor performance in the real debate.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump at the 2024 US presidential election debate in Atlanta, Georgia, US, June 27, 2024 (Photo: Reuters)

Wrong debate strategy

President Joe Biden’s debate strategy was approved by Jen O’Malley Dillon, who helped him win in 2020, with support from longtime aide Anita Dunn and several other policy and political experts. But confidence in the strategy may have led to a misjudgment of the situation by his team.

Joe Biden’s debate strategy has focused on providing details and holding mock debates. But President Joe Biden’s team appears to have been unprepared for the larger vision and cosmetic issues. While Donald Trump could simply complain about the current administration, Joe Biden has had to counter a rapid-fire barrage of lies from his opponent. This requires a different strategy, one that focuses on vision and leadership rather than just providing details.

The impact of pressure and expectations

President Joe Biden, at 81, faces high expectations from the public and within his own party. His frequent trips, especially to France, have prompted Republican social media clips mocking his age.

While President Joe Biden’s team believes this also shows he is a strong leader on the world stage, the reality is that he is exhausted. When President Joe Biden arrived at Camp David six days before the debate, aides noted that he needed more rest than his opponent.

President Joe Biden not only has to prove himself fit for a second term, but he also has to deal with criticism about his age and health. This has created a lot of pressure, forcing him to work harder to prove himself. However, this pressure has also contributed to his ability to concentrate and his performance in the debate.

Internal reactions and criticism

In the immediate aftermath of the debate, a wave of criticism erupted from Joe Biden’s allies and aides. John Morgan, a lawyer and major fundraiser for President Joe Biden, even called for the firing of senior advisers like Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer. Critics said Joe Biden did not get enough rest before the debate, which severely affected his performance.

Some aides to President Joe Biden have discussed whether he should debate Donald Trump, arguing that it could give Trump a massive public platform and hurt Biden. President Joe Biden's decision to debate came as a surprise to some advisers, but his team has tried to frame the contest on its own terms.

The debate has led to internal discussions about whether President Joe Biden should run again. Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin acknowledged that there are very honest and serious conversations taking place at all levels of the Democratic Party, a clear sign of concern about Joe Biden’s ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory in the upcoming election.

While Joe Biden’s team insists that no personnel changes are under consideration and internal polling shows no change in voter sentiment, the fact remains that the debate did significant damage. The media’s over-reporting may have led to a temporary dip in the polls, and Joe Biden will need to work hard to restore trust with the public and donors.

The debate has done significant damage to President Joe Biden’s image and reputation. Critics said he appeared on stage with a pale face, hair hanging down to his neck and a hoarse voice. “I’ve never seen him present like that before,” said Michael LaRosa, a former special assistant to President Biden.

The debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was not only a campaign event but also an important test of Joe Biden's leadership ability. Mistakes in preparation and debate strategy led to an unconvincing performance, damaging the image of President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.

Still, it was an opportunity for President Joe Biden’s team to take stock and adjust their strategy, hoping to regain momentum in the remaining months of the campaign. The debate was a valuable lesson in preparation, strategy, and the importance of health in elections.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tranh-luan-bau-cu-tong-thong-my-2024-ong-joe-biden-yeu-the-do-chuan-bi-kem-kiet-suc-329396.html