David Axelrod, a former strategist for Barack Obama, predicted that President Joe Biden‘s campaign is in jeopardy following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump.
What Happened: In an op-ed published on CNN on Monday, Axelrod highlighted an ABC interview with George Stephanopoulos, where Biden failed to reassure voters of his stamina and mental sharpness to serve another term. Axelrod pointed out that Biden’s poor performance has led to an increase in the number of Americans who believe the president is too old to serve another term.
Despite three separate polls showing Biden trailing Trump by six points nationwide, Biden dismissed the figures and insisted on his qualifications. Axelrod warned that Biden’s denial of his public standing could lead to a “landslide defeat to a lawless and unpopular former president.”
Biden’s refusal to step aside despite calls from Democrats fearing an electoral disaster was characterized by Axelrod as “denial, delusion, defiance.”
“Sometimes the Lord Almighty comes in the form of enlightened self-awareness. The stakes are as great as Biden describes. And if he believes it, as I think he does, he will eventually do what duty and love of country requires, and step aside,” Axelrod said.
“If he does not, it will be Biden's age, and not Trump's moral and ethical void, that will dominate the rest of this most important campaign and sully the president's historic legacy.”
Why It Matters: Despite Biden’s poor debate performance, he has gained some traction among voters in swing states, according to a poll by Bloomberg News/Morning Consult. Trump leads Biden by a 47%-45% margin, the smallest since the poll began.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has called for all future presidential nominees, including those in the line of succession, to undergo cognitive and physical evaluations. This comes amid ongoing debates about the health of Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history.
Trump sarcastically recommended that Biden ignore the escalating calls for his withdrawal from the presidential race, following his disappointing debate performance. Trump shared his advice for Biden on his Truth Social platform, urging him to persist with his campaign despite the rising apprehension among Democrats seeking a new candidate.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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