A shaky start from a stumbling Joe Biden left some Democrat supporters concerned the president was not able to push back on rival Donald TrumpB次元官网网址檚 oftentimes exaggerated or inaccurate claims during the first presidential debate ahead of the November election.
There were gasps from Democratic supporters during a Thursday evening watch party in South Philadelphia when Biden lost his train of thought while trying to make a point about tax rates and the number of billionaires in America near the beginning of the debate.
Danina Moore was a bit uneasy following 81-year-old BidenB次元官网网址檚 uneven performance, including a raspy voice and rambling responses, throughout the debate.
B次元官网网址淗opefully Biden can pull it off,B次元官网网址� Moore said with a sigh.
The president has faced consistent criticism about his age and the concerns were likely not quelled by his conduct on the stage in Atlanta. When asked about age during the debate, Biden pointed out that Trump is 78.
B次元官网网址淭his guyB次元官网网址檚 three years younger and a lot less competent,B次元官网网址� Biden said.
Trump, in response to a similar question about his age, pointed to the two cognitive tests he took, saying he B次元官网网址渁ced them,B次元官网网址� and called for Biden to take one.
Trump appeared energetic but not always factual with his responses while BidenB次元官网网址檚 jarring speech and missteps seemed more pronounced.
Vice-President Kamala Harris, speaking on CNN afterward, said B次元官网网址渢here was a slow start, but there was a strong finish.B次元官网网址�
Democrats and Republicans were both hoping the early debate would light a spark for supporters. Experts have said many Americans are not engaging with the campaigns and a lot of would-be voters arenB次元官网网址檛 supportive of either candidate.
At the Philadelphia watch party, Republican George Williams said he thought Trump walked away the more competent and coherent debater.
B次元官网网址淚 think Trump did well tonight.B次元官网网址�
While Philadelphia is generally a Democratic stronghold, Pennsylvania, where Biden was born, has turned into a battleground state that could be crucial to win the presidency.
Trump took it in 2016 before it swung back to Biden in 2020 B次元官网网址� both by narrow margins.
The matchup Thursday saw the current president and his political rival exchange personal barbs as well as criticism over their legacies in the Oval Office.
Biden said when Trump left office, B次元官网网址渢hings were in chaos.B次元官网网址� He said the COVID-19 pandemic was poorly handled and the economy was in freefall. Biden spoke about his record on jobs and the cost of medication.
Trump said his presidency brought B次元官网网址渢he greatest economy in the history of our country.B次元官网网址� Trump also criticized BidenB次元官网网址檚 withdrawal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Williams said nothing from the debate would sway his opinion. HeB次元官网网址檚 basing his decision on TrumpB次元官网网址檚 first term as president. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 already sold.B次元官网网址�
Moore said any parent should be afraid of a second Trump term.
B次元官网网址淚f you got kids B次元官网网址� you better vote for Biden.B次元官网网址�
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