Biden told to withdraw after abysmal debate

There are now loud and growing calls for Joe Biden to pull out of the presidential race after a woeful performance in the presidential debate.

There are growing calls for Joe Biden to pull out of the US Presidential contest after what is being considered an abysmal performance in the first head-to-head debate with Donald Trump.

The President mumbled, went on odd tangents and had some hard to follow answers.

Many commentators have said Mr Trump didn’t kick the debate out of the park either but the fact Mr Biden was unable to capitalise on his rival’s weak spots has some of the party “in shock,” it’s been claimed.

One pundit said there is now “panic” in the Democratic Party. A former party senator has said Mr Biden is a “good, honourable man” but it was time for him to “step aside”.

A flash poll on CNN stated 67 per cent of those surveyed said Mr Trump won the debate. The same poll however said only 5 per cent of people would actually change their vote based on the performances.

Vice President Kamala Harris defended Mr Biden. “Yes, there was a slow start but it was a strong finish,” she said on CNN. Democratic insiders are also frantically trying to promote the blows that Mr Biden did make on Mr Trump, such as when he called his rival a “loser” and “sucker” for denigrating veterans – like Mr Biden’s own late son.

The presidential candidates are the oldest in US history, with Mr Biden 81 years old and Mr Trump not far behind at 78.

Whoever wins will be the oldest president ever at the end of their term.

But of the two, it was arguably Mr Biden that came off worse during the messy match up.

He had a woeful first half-hour in the 90 minute debate with a raspy voice and at one moment he seemingly lost his train of thought and froze for a second or two.

Mr Biden improved as the debate continued but his performance was not enough to quell concerns about his sharpness.

Joe Biden’s debate performance has sparked panic among the Republican Party. Picture: Andrew Harnik / Getty Images via AFP

‘Panic’ in the party

Mr Trump had his moments where he had trouble at time staying on subject swerving into a bizarre golf analogy. He also repeatedly flubbed figures, including how much aid the US had given to Ukraine.

But overall, the former president appeared more confident during the debate and had snappier points and comebacks.

“This was a game-changing debate in the sense that right now as we speak there is a deep worry and very aggressive panic in the Democratic Party,” said CNN chief national correspondent John King.

“It started minutes into the debate and continues right now.”

There are calls for Joe Biden to pull out of the White House race. Picture: Justin Sullivan /Getty Images via AFP

‘Withdraw’

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof said Mr Biden needed to make a big decision.

“I wish Biden would reflect on this debate performance and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, throwing the choice of Democratic nominee to the convention,” he said.

“(Someone else) could still jump in and beat Trump.”

Former New York Democrat Alessandra Biaggi said it was time for Mr Biden to go.

“President Biden is a good, honourable man. He has much to be proud of,” she said.

“It is time to step aside and call off this run. We need a strong candidate NOW. There is still time.”

Controversial comedian Roseanne Barr, who makes no secret of her support for Mr Trump, nonetheless lamented the debate.

“As MAGA and pro America as I am …. I take no happiness in this debate,” she said. “Biden is clearly not here.”

A patron reacts during a watch party for the first presidential debate. Picture: Josh Edelson / AFP

Biden’s bad performance

Things got off to a bad start when a wooden Mr Biden walked on stage and appeared to wave to the audience.

Except, under the rules of the CNN debate, there was no audience to wave to.

He could have been waving to the debate’s hosts. But a series of other gaffes didn’t help.

Worst was the moment Mr Biden froze and seemed to get confused over a question on taxation which swerved into the health system.

He stumbled, paused, and then inexplicably said “we finally beat Medicare,” as his final comment.

Medicare and Medicaid are public health programs in the US, similar to Australia’s Medicare, not something a Democratic would want to “beat”.

“He was right. He did beat Medicaid,” replied Mr Trump jumping on the gaffe.

“He beat it to death and he’s destroying Medicare.”

US President Joe Biden walks off stage during the CNN Presidential Debate. Picture: Justin Sullivan /Getty Images via AFP

Another moment was an answer from Mr Biden on immigration.

“I’ve changed the way that now you’re in a situation where 40 per cent fewer (people are) coming across the border legally, especially when (Mr Trump) left office, to continue the moment till we get to total ban, the total initiative, relative to what we’re going to do with more Border Patrol,” the President said.

Mr Trump then chimed in: “I really don’t know what he said at the end of this.”

US President Joe Biden was peppy at a campaign event following the debate. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP

‘What’s wrong with Biden?’

David Axelrod, who was Barack Obama’s top political adviser during his presidency, reported on “a sense of shock” among Mr Biden’s fellow Democrats.

“Each candidate had a goal,” Mr Axelrod said.

“For Biden, that goal was to be energetic, engaged, and to look like someone who is capable of serving for another four years. That was job number one.

“I think there was a sense of shock, actually, at how he came out at the beginning of this debate. How his voice sounded. He seemed a little disoriented.

“He did get stronger as the debate went on, but by that time I think the panic had set in. And I think you’re going to hear discussions, that I’m not sure will lead to anything, but there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue.”

On US TV network CBS, White House correspondent, Ed O’Keefe said: “There are at least some House Democrats who were gathered tonight watching this together talking about talking to the White House about having him step down.

“That’s how bad it was, in their view.”

One politician texted O’Keefe saying: “I have never seen a freakout like this.”

On MSNBC, former Bush administration official Nicolle Wallace said Democrats were wondering what had been “wrong” with Mr Biden.

“There are conversations happening inside Biden’s circle, and certainly a much more frank conversation inside the Democratic coalition,” said Ms Wallace.

“I think conversations range from whether he should be in this race tomorrow morning to what was wrong with him.”