Biden's bad performance caused top Democrats to panic on Thursday night. The president seemed unsteady and had trouble finishing sentences, increasing worries about his age and ability to do the job, which the debate was supposed to calm.
Right after the debate, senior Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris admitted Biden had a "slow start" but praised his "strong finish." However, some privately suggested he should step down.
Adding more pressure on the White House, the New York Times editorial board wrote in an opinion piece on Friday that the best thing Biden can do now is to announce he won't run for re-election.
"The president looked like a shadow of his former self on Thursday night," it said. "He had trouble explaining his plans for a second term, responding to Trump's provocations, and holding Trump accountable for his lies, failures, and disturbing plans. More than once, he struggled to finish a sentence."
"Biden is not the same person he was four years ago," it added.
Earlier that day, top New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman urged his "friend" to step aside. "Joe Biden, a good man and a good president, shouldn't run for re-election," he said.
Former US President Barack Obama defended Biden in a social media post on Friday. "Bad debate nights happen," he said. "But this election is still about choosing between someone who has always fought for ordinary people and someone who only cares about himself."
During a campaign stop in North Carolina on Friday, Biden seemed much more energetic and clear. He admitted his debate performance was widely criticized.
"I don't walk, speak, or debate as well as I used to," Biden said. "But I know what I know. I know how to tell the truth."
The New York Times is the first US newspaper to urge Biden to quit the race. Other important newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and the Atlantic have also published articles by their top writers urging Biden to step down. Peggy Noonan from the Journal said letting Biden continue "seems like mistreatment of an elderly person."
In 2020, the New York Times supported both Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary.
In response to the New York Times' request, Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond told CNN: "The last time Joe Biden didn't get the New York Times editorial board's endorsement, things turned out well for him."
Biden and Trump are very close in national polls for November. A recent New York Times/Sienna poll, published before the debate, showed Trump leading Biden by three points. In crucial "battleground" states needed to win the presidency, RealClearPolitics reports Trump is ahead in six out of seven.
SOURCE: The Guardian