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FT News Briefing

Swamp Notes: After the debate, is this it for Biden?

Jun 29, 2024
Lauren Fedor, the Deputy Washington bureau chief for the Financial Times, dives into Joe Biden's shaky performance in the recent presidential debate against Donald Trump. Fedor discusses the rising anxieties within the Democratic Party and questions surrounding Biden’s fitness for re-election. She highlights the shift from policy-focused discourse to a greater emphasis on personal attributes and performance. The conversation reveals how a lackluster debate can shake the foundation of an incumbent's candidacy and elicit calls for a change.
12:29

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Biden's debate performance heightened concerns on his mental acuity and potential as a standard-bearer for Democrats.
  • Trump's ability to steer the conversation and focus on personalities underscored a shift towards personality-based politics over policy discussions.

Deep dives

Impact of the Early Presidential Debate on Biden's Campaign

The early presidential debate initiated by Joe Biden aimed to highlight the choice between him and Trump. However, Biden's performance backfired, leading to concerns about his candidacy's viability. There is speculation within the Democratic Party about the potential for Biden to step aside as the nominee, though his delegate count solidifies his position.

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