It’s decision time for Joe Biden

Joe Biden’s fist-pumping insistence that he can still win in November, despite the catastrophe, for him, of the presidential debate, confounds common sense. “I know I’m not a young man, to state the obvious,” Mr Biden told cheering supporters in the battleground state of North Carolina on Saturday. “I don’t walk as easy as I used to, but I know what I do know, I know how to tell the truth (and) I know how to do this job. I intend to win this election; when you get knocked down, you get back up.’’ He has no intention, clearly, of heeding the advice of those who believe his interests and those of the US and free world would be served if he stepped aside to make way for a younger Democrat to take on Donald Trump.

Even The New York Times, his booster-in-chief, argued it is time for Mr Biden to face reality and “leave the race”. His position has become untenable. Some in the Democratic Party fear his performance will cost House of Representative and Senate seats. Yet some influential figures, including his wife, Jill Biden, and Barack Obama, are supportive of his determination to carry on regardless. “Bad debate nights happen,” Mr Obama said. “This election is still a choice between someone who fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.” Assessments by The Wall Street Journal have highlighted blatant untruths told by Mr Trump during the debate. His claim that Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if the US had a different president, for example, was dubious. But that, as he seeks to return to the White House, shows the need for the Democrats to find a more plausible candidate. The last thing the US and the free world that looks to it for strong leadership need is a contest that effectively cedes the race to Mr Trump. But Anthony Albanese got it right on Saturday when he pledged that Australia will back “whoever is elected”. That is what allies must do.

Nikki Haley, runner-up to Mr Trump in the Republican race, has warned, wisely, that Republicans should prepare for Mr Trump facing a younger Democratic opponent. Mr Biden’s obvious senility is unlikely to improve over the next four months, let alone the next four years. Little of it was evident in his post-debate appearance where he appeared a changed man – lucid, coherent and energetic. But after more than 50 years in public life, much of it involved in US foreign policy, Mr Biden should, even in his dotage, understand the importance to the world of the coming election.