US President Joe Biden was in damage-control mode Friday as he tried to make up for a stumbling performance in the first presidential debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump on Thursday night. While Biden acknowledged criticisms of his performance, he insisted he was not dropping out of the race. His campaign director on Friday stressed that the president would participate in a second debate set for September.
Biden’s halting delivery and meandering comments, particularly early in the debate, fuelled concerns from even members of his own party that at age 81, he's not up for the task of leading the country for another four years. It created a crisis moment for Biden’s campaign and his presidency, as members of his party flirted with potential replacements and donors and supporters couldn’t contain their concern about his showing against Trump.
