CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Tuesday slammed Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) for defending President Biden’s poor debate performance, arguing that it was more than “just a bad debate.”
When asked how concerned he was about Biden’s standing after the dismal debate results, Tapper replied, “Well, like all of us who are committed to making sure Donald Trump doesn’t get back in the White House, we want to be at our best.”
“I’m still going to support President Biden. He’s a good guy. His policies have worked, and we’ll see what happens,” Thompson added. “If a new strategy, talking to the public, doing town halls and interviews, works, then do it.”
Thompson noted that Democrats need to be “unified” and “not risk everything on one bad debate.”
Biden has been a source of growing concern within the Democratic Party since last week’s debate, when he stuttered and seemed to lose his train of thought. The incumbent’s voice was hoarse for much of the 90-minute debate, his speaking frequency was halting, and he had difficulty synchronizing his thoughts.
“I’ve been in office for quite some time. Some days are just bad days. That debate was a bad day. But it’s not the end of the campaign,” Thompson said. “It’s not the end of his reelection effort. But we need to do some things to reassure the public that it wasn’t just one time, it was just a bad day.”
Tapper interjected, telling Thompson, “With all due respect, this wasn’t just a bad debate. I’ve seen other instances where it wasn’t just about aging.”
“We all get older. My parents are in their 80s. I get it. If you’re lucky enough to live to be 80, it happens. It’s not like you just… get older, right?” Tapper added.
Thompson said he “doesn’t think that way” and added that he has known Biden for quite some time.
“As people mature, things happen. But if you look at the policies, if you look at what his administration stands for, it’s what keeps America great. He’s a great leader. He’s respected by people all over the world, and that’s deserved,” the congressman said. “So when you look at the two candidates leading the way, and the two people running for president, I say Joe Biden is that guy.”
Earlier in the interview, Tapper cited a new CNN poll showing that three-quarters of voters believe Democrats have a better chance of winning the 2024 election with Biden or another candidate. A majority of Democrats and left-leaning independents, 56%, said the same, according to the poll.
A CNN poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris as closer to former President Trump than Biden, and her name continues to be circulated as a possible contender for the party’s nomination.
Despite calls within his own party for him to drop out of the 2024 race, the president and his reelection campaign have maintained that he has no intention of withdrawing from the race.
Biden has already won the primaries and secured a majority of delegates, so he can’t just be overthrown at the Democratic National Convention in August. That’s ultimately up to him.
Biden has already won the primaries and secured a majority of delegates, so he can’t just be overthrown at the Democratic National Convention in August. Ultimately, the decision is his.
