Written by Carla Elalam Edited by Annika Lilja
*This article was written prior to President Biden's announcement that he will no longer seek reelection. Please see our end note for more information.
The country is in disbelief over the much-awaited 2024 presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. This debate marked the pair’s first face-off since 2020. Millions of people tuned in, expecting strong leadership, but were met with a performance that was so poor it left many worried about the state of the country. Social media platforms exploded with criticism, displaying the immense disappointment of Americans who expected more from their leaders. With the November election coming, the debate's immediate aftermath has created chaos, leaving both parties in jeopardy.
The immediate aftermath of the debate showed a significant shift in public opinion and party support. NBC News reported that 62% of Democrats expressed a desire for a different party leader, showing widespread dissatisfaction with Biden’s performance. Additionally, Biden’s approval rating took a sharp decrease to 40%, emphasizing the immense concerns among voters (NBC News). These immediate reactions following the debate highlighted the urgent need for both candidates to address voter concerns and regain public trust.
Following the debate, Vice President Harris had an interview aimed at addressing growing concerns within the Democratic Party. She focused on defending the administration’s achievements and stressing the importance of persevering through challenges. Meanwhile, the day after the debate, President Biden held a rally in North Carolina to reaffirm his commitment to addressing key issues. As concerns about his age came up, Biden responded by highlighting his experience and dedication to the presidency. Despite these efforts, speculation about his future remains, with Kamala Harris positioned as the likely nominee should Biden decide to step down. However, Biden’s continued resistance to stepping down keeps the speculation in check.
The “Great Democratic Freakout” captures the intense anxiety within the party following the debate. This panic led to a critical meeting with Democratic governors, where they discussed strategies to address Biden’s declining approval ratings and voter dissatisfaction. The governors began drafting plans to stabilize the campaign and restore the party's confidence. This meeting showed the urgency of reinforcing the party’s position as the election nears.
Despite increasing calls for his resignation, President Biden has firmly resisted stepping down as the Democratic nominee. Prominent figures such as Senator Elizabeth Warren and former Governor Andrew Cuomo have voiced concerns about Biden’s age and effectiveness, urging him to reconsider his candidacy. Biden’s refusal to step aside opens the door to a possible contested convention, where other candidates might rise as contenders. This situation could create a highly unpredictable nomination process, increasing the party’s challenges as the elections nears.
With the November election approaching, the debate’s aftermath has left both parties dealing with uncertainty. The Democratic Party’s instability and Biden’s unwillingness to stand aside has made the campaign unpredictable. Now, people all around the world are waiting to see if Biden will eventually choose to drop out of the election.
Note: Since this article was written, President Biden has announced that he will no longer seek reelection. Shortly following this announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. She has now emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee, with many of her possible challengers endorsing her candidacy. Subscribe to All Teen Politics today to be notified when we post our article explaining the Harris Campaign and the Veepstakes (Vice President selection process).
Links:
Cordes, Nancy, and Edward R. Murrow. “Biden meets with Democratic governors as White House works to shore up support.” CBS News, 4 July 2024, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-democratic-governors-meeting-after-debate/. Accessed 24 July 2024.
Egan, Lauren, and Myah Ward. “Biden addresses his disastrous performance: 'I don't debate as well as I used to.'” Politico, 28 June 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/28/biden-campaign-rally-2024-debate-00165799. Accessed 24 July 2024.
“The Great Democratic Party Freakout of 2024.” The New Yorker, 13 July 2024, https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/political-scene/the-great-democratic-party-freakout-of-2024. Accessed 24 July 2024.
Murray, Mark. “Poll: Debate aftermath damages Biden and Democratic Party — but one-on-one matchup with Trump is unchanged.” NBC News, 14 July 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/poll-debate-aftermath-damages-biden-democratic-party-matchup-trump-unc-rcna161154. Accessed 24 July 2024.
Tyler, Brian. “Kamala Harris reacts to Pres. Biden's debate performance: He 'did not get off to a strong start.'” YouTube, 28 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx3GecStvos. Accessed 24 July 2024.