📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
U.S. President Joe Biden recently made headlines after admitting that his poor performance in the June 27 presidential debate was due to jet lag caused by his extensive world travels. The 81-year-old president faced criticism for his lackluster debate against former President Donald Trump, with many questioning his readiness for the upcoming 2024 reelection bid. Speaking at a campaign event in McLean, Virginia, Biden candidly acknowledged that he ‘nearly fell asleep’ on stage, attributing it to his decision to travel the world a couple of times before the crucial debate. Biden’s two overseas trips to France and Italy, along with flying through numerous time zones, seemed to have taken a toll on his performance. Despite his admission, Biden emphasized that his travel fatigue was not an excuse but an explanation for his subpar debate showing. The White House had previously cited a cold as the reason for Biden’s halting performance, but he did not mention being sick during his recent fundraiser. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that one in three Democrats believe Biden should withdraw from his reelection bid, following the debate. However, the poll also indicated that both Biden and Trump maintained the support of 40% of registered voters, suggesting that Biden has not significantly lost ground. With Election Day approaching on November 5, the pressure is on Biden to regain momentum and prove his ability to effectively take on Trump in a potential rematch. Despite facing calls from some Democrats to step down, Biden remains determined to defeat his opponent and continue his presidential duties, as the oldest president in American history. The debate performance has sparked a debate within the Democratic party about Biden’s candidacy, raising questions about his fitness to lead the country for another term.
