Joe Biden's Disastrous Debate Performance Blamed On Bad Preparation: 'What A Bad Decision To Send Him Out Looking Sick And Exhausted'

President Joe Biden‘s recent debate performance is being attributed to a series of missteps by his top advisors, according to a Reuters report.

What Happened: Biden’s debate with Republican rival Donald Trump was characterized by his failure to counter Trump’s repeated false claims, leading to calls for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Critics attribute this to a lack of rest and poor preparation, despite warnings from his aides.

 “What a bad decision to send him out looking sick and exhausted,” said one of the president’s top aides, according to the report.

Florida-based attorney and major Biden fundraiser John Morgan suggested that senior aide Anita Dunn and others be fired for their role in the debacle. The debate strategy was approved by campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, who was appointed in January to boost Biden’s reelection campaign.

Despite Biden’s low poll numbers, his team was confident going into the debate. The president’s trips to Europe and his rigorous debate prep schedule, which included six days at Camp David, were expected to give him an edge.

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However, Biden’s campaign has dismissed any possibility of a staff shake-up. O’Malley Dillon assured supporters that internal polls and focus groups showed no change in voters’ opinions in battleground states after the debate.

Why It Matters: Biden’s debate performance has sparked discussions about his future as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential election. A flash poll conducted after the debate showed that only 32% of respondents approved of Biden’s performance, with a steeper 63% among Democrats. This has led to speculation about potential alternatives within the Democratic party.

Despite the criticism, a recent poll revealed a decline in voters’ confidence in Biden’s mental and physical fitness, with three out of five viewers believing that Trump outshone Biden during the debate. This suggests that the debate may have raised concerns about both candidates’ suitability for the presidency.

Meanwhile, Trump’s team has been quick to capitalize on Biden’s perceived weakness, with the former president’s social media clips mocking Biden’s age. This has raised questions about the impact of the debate on the race between Biden and Trump. However, polls also point to concerning signs for the ex-president.

Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Shivdeep Dhaliwal