Biden’s debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Above all, Joe Biden’s allies have wanted him to demonstrate strength and energy on the debate stage this week to help put to rest questions about the 81-year-old Democrat’s physical and mental acuity. But on the biggest stage in U.S. politics on Thursday, Biden did not meet their modest expectations. And by the end of the 90-minute affair, the Democratic president’s allies panicked about his chances against 78-year-old Republican former President Donald Trump this fall. They cited a Biden debate performance punctuated by repeated stumbles, uncomfortable pauses, and a quiet speaking style that was often difficult to understand. Publicly and privately, Democrats question whether the party could or should replace Biden.