FT News Briefing Swamp Notes: After the debate, is this it for Biden?
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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.
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Reagan's Age Joke
- Ronald Reagan used humor to deflect criticism about his age in a debate with Walter Mondale.
- He joked about not exploiting Mondale's "youth and inexperience."
Biden's Debate Backfire
- Biden's early debate strategy seems to have backfired, raising concerns about his fitness for office.
- Some Democrats are even calling for a new nominee, highlighting the unexpected impact of the debate.
Democratic Panic
- There's unprecedented panic among Democrats regarding Biden's debate performance.
- Replacing Biden is technically possible, but it depends on Biden himself, as he holds the majority of delegates.