Presidential debate: 'Swap Joe out' - panic grips Democrats after Biden debacle

Joe Biden's former communications director joined critics of the President's debate performance, which prompted Democrats to openly raise the idea of bringing in a new nominee. Here's how the debate unfolded.

Greg Sheridan, Adam Creighton and Anne Barrowclough

less than 2 min read

June 28, 2024 - 1:40PM

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and President Joe Biden participate in the CNN Presidential Debate. Picture: AFP

The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, has now ended. Recap they key moments below.

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Eight in 10 debate watchers say it had no effect on choice

Staff writers

Around 8 in 10 registered voters who watched the debate say it had no effect on their choice for president, according to a CNN poll of debate watchers. Another 14 per cent said that it made them reconsider but didn’t change their mind, while 5 per cent said it changed their minds about whom to vote for.

Roughly equal shares of Joe Biden and Donald Trump supporters said the debate had changed their mind.

However after the debate, the number who viewed Joe Biden favourably dropped to 31 per cent from 37 per cent before the debate. In contrast, Trump did better, with 43 per cent of debate watchers viewing him favourably compared with 40 per cent before the debate.

Around 48 per cent of debate watchers say Trump better addressed concerns about his ability to handle the presidency, with 23 per cent saying Biden did a better job and 22 per cent that neither candidate did. Another 7 per cent thought both candidates did an equally good job allaying concerns, CNN reports.

In all, 48 per cent said they’d only consider voting for Trump, 40 per cent that they’d only consider voting for Biden, 2 per cent that they’re considering both candidates, and 11 per cent that they aren’t considering voting for either.

Will Biden have to step aside now?

Agency writers

President Biden’s performance, in which he repeatedly appeared to lose his train of thought and sounded hoarse—has raised the question of what would happen if he were to step aside as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

Biden has won more than enough delegates in party primaries this year to secure the nomination, and the president would need to exit from the race for any replacement to be possible before the November general election. If he were to quit the race, it could make for a particularly dramatic Democratic National Convention in August, complete with many rounds of voting and hotel lobby politics.

What happens if Biden stays in the race?
Since Biden has enough delegates to win the nomination, if he stays in the race there is not a path for another candidate to become the Democratic nominee.

What happens if Biden drops out?
If Biden drops out of the race, the Democrats will nominate a new candidate at the Democratic National Convention, which takes place in Chicago this August.

How does that work?
All of the Biden delegates preparing to go to Chicago would become uncommitted delegates. Before the rise of primaries, this is how conventions worked: candidates had to convince delegates to vote for them. The convention could become a campaign itself, likely to draw out divisions within the Democratic Party.

The Biden delegates slated to support him in August were approved by the campaign, meaning they are likely loyal to the president. This could make them more likely to cast their vote for whichever candidate Biden supports upon stepping down.

What about Kamala Harris?
Harris doesn’t automatically become the nominee just because she’s vice president—the delegates have already been selected, so she’s on the same footing as any other person. Still, her status in the Democratic Party and White House connections could make her a viable candidate, especially if Biden gives her his endorsement.

Anyone else?
The Democratic Party has a host of political stars, including governors like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. All have been vocal supporters of Biden’s campaign.

What if Biden drops out after the convention?
Once the convention ends, for the Democrats to choose a new candidate, Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison would need to consult with to Democratic governors and members of Congress before filling the vacancy.

The Wall St Journal

'Slow start, strong finish': Harris

Anne Barrowclough

Kamala Harris. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

Vice President Kamala Harris has admitted that Joe Biden had a “slow start” but insisted he had a “strong finish.”

“People can debate on style points, but ultimately, this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance and the contrast is clear,” Ms Harris told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Mr Biden's campaign chair also defended his performance which CNN reports "has many Democrats panicked."

Jen O’Malley Dillon argued the president provided a “positive and winning vision.” compared with Donald Trump's "dark and backwards window into what America will look like if he steps foot back in the White House."

“Tonight, President Biden presented a positive and winning vision for the future of America – one in which every American has a fair shot at the American dream, where every one of our rights are protected, and where our president fights to strengthen our democracy – not to tear it down,” O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.

“On the other side of the stage was Donald Trump, who offered a dark and backwards window into what America will look like if he steps foot back in the White House: a country where women are forced to beg for the health care they need to stay alive. A country that puts the interests of billionaires over working people. And a former president who not once, not twice, but three times, failed to promise he would accept the results of a free and fair election this November,” she said.

Next debate set for Sept 10

Agency writers

The next debate is slated for Sept. 10 and will be hosted by ABC News.

To participate, candidates will need to be eligible to earn 270 electoral votes by qualifying for ballots in enough states, and they’ll need to have polled at 15% or above in four national polls.

There was some speculation late Thursday that the debate might not happen.

The network has not yet announced a location or panel of moderators. The debate will air on ABC, Hulu and ABC News Live. ABC News said that other networks will be able to show the debate on their own broadcasts.

'Disappointing, train wreck': Biden's people lash performance

Anne Barrowclough

Joe and Jill Biden visit a campaign debate watch party in Atlanta, Georgia. Picture: AFP.

Among Democrats who have expressed disappointment in Joe Biden's performance is his own former communications director, who says he didn't prove he had the energy or stamina to continue as president.

Kate Bedingfield, who left her post a year ago, said: “It was a really disappointing debate performance from Joe Biden. I don’t think there’s any other way to slice it. His biggest issue was to prove to the American people that he had the energy, the stamina — and he didn’t do that.”

Mr Biden’s performance has prompted some calls from Democrats for someone else to step into his role.

“Look I debated Joe 7 times in 2020. He’s a different guy in 2024,” said 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang on social media.

“Guys, the Dems should nominate someone else – before it’s too late,” adding the hashtag #swapJoeout.

Other Democrats described Mr Biden's performance as a disaster.

“Trump is coming off as reasonable even if he’s lying 60 mph. Biden is unintelligible,” one Democrat told CNN.

Another politician told CNN that Mr Biden’s performance was “getting better but, train wreck.”

If Mr Biden exits the race Democrats will have to choose a new candidate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

In this case, the already-determined state delegates would be “uncommitted,” and could vote for anyone. These delegates would vote on a new nominee in what would likely be a messy and lengthy process.

'Swap Joe out': Democrats start calling for new nominee

Agency writers

Democrats have been very disciplined in not even countenancing the idea of swapping in a new nominee if President Biden isn’t able to serve a second term, for whatever reason.

However Mr Biden’s performance Thursday prompted some calls from the left side of the political aisle for someone else to step in.

“Look I debated Joe 7 times in 2020. He’s a different guy in 2024,” said 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang on social media.

“Guys, the Dems should nominate someone else – before it’s too late,” adding the hashtag #swapJoeout.

Since primaries have concluded, if Mr Biden exits the race Democrats will have to choose a new candidate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

In this case, the already-determined state delegates would be “uncommitted,” and could vote for anyone. These delegates would vote on a new nominee in what would likely be a messy and lengthy process.

The Wall St Journal

Analysis: Trump ahead, Biden looks old, frail

Greg Sheridan

Donald Trump came out ahead, but Joe Biden did have strong points. Picture: Getty Images via AFP.

Overall, Donald Trump has come out ahead in this debate, partly because he has focused, with astounding discipline by his standards, on the key issues which are working for him.

The most important of these is illegal immigration. But Joe Biden also hit his own strong points.

He cleared the basic hurdle of being able to stand up and talk more or less coherently for most of the time. His voice is weak and every so often he gets confused. But by Biden's standards it was a lucid performance.

But certainly Biden looked old and frail compared with Trump.

And he tried to goad Trump with a range of personal insults.

But the rules were Trump's friend. They not only limited the candidates. They limited the comperes.

This debate won't decide the election. But Biden didn't change the dynamics, which so far have Trump ahead.

Presidents trade barbs over golf, fitness

Adam Creighton

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 27: The CNN presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is shown at a watch party at The Continental Club on June 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Biden and Trump are facing off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: The CNN presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is shown at a watch party at The Continental Club on June 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Biden and Trump are facing off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by MARIO TAMA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The two presidents have traded barbs about who was the physically and mentally fittest towards the end of the debate, including bragging about their golfing skills.

“I have a six handicap in golf,” Joe Biden, 81, said.

“No you don't. I have seen your swing,” Mr Trump, an avid golfer, said contemptuously looking at his opponent.

Mr Trump, 78, said he’d taken cognitive tests and ‘aced’ them and felt as if he was in as good a shape as “25 or 30 years”

Mr Trump pointed out he’d recently won two golf competitions, which required both physical and mental fitness.

“He can’t fit a ball 50 yards,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Biden, 81, pointed out he was once the second youngest ever senator and now is the oldest president. The president then mocked Mr Trump’s weight.

“I’m probably a little bit lighter,” Mr Trump said.

Biden performance 'disaster': Democrats

Anne Barrowclough

CNN is reporting that some Democrats are concerned over Joe Biden's performance, and worried that he isn't being clear enough about his vision for the country.

“Disaster,” one Democrat told CNN. “Trump is coming off as reasonable even if he’s lying 60 mph. Biden is unintelligible.”

Another politician told CNN that Mr Biden’s performance was “getting better but, train wreck.”

Democrats are especially worried that Mr Trump is coming off as more measured than usual while Mr Biden is not “punching back” on Trump’s lies, CNN reports.

“I think Joe is doing better than he did in the first 15 minutes, and Trump is just lying his way through the debate. But I wish Joe was a lot stronger punching back,” one said.