What the American public witnessed last night was nothing short of distressing. For over three years, and with increasing intensity in the past month, the narrative has been that Joe Biden’s frequent lapses were merely MAGA propaganda. The electorate was reassured that what they perceived with their own eyes was a mirage, crafted through carefully edited, deceitful videos. However, last night's events demand an end to what can now be considered one of the most significant cover-ups in American history.
When Joe Biden stepped out and waved to an audience that wasn't there, it was clear that the debate had ended before it even began. Speculation had run rampant on whether Biden would appear as he did during the State of the Union—cracked out and energized to the point of belligerence. The version of Biden who angrily shouts during major speeches did not make an appearance.
Biden’s struggle to articulate coherent thoughts was palpable. He seemed lost, perpetually confused, and physically out of place. His mouth hung open even when he wasn't speaking, and his eyes barely blinked. As Trump succinctly put it, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
The debate was, indeed, a disheartening spectacle. Regardless of one's stance on Joe Biden’s policies, it’s difficult to argue that he is fit to handle the responsibilities of the presidency.
If there were any lingering doubts about Biden’s performance, the reactions from Democratic stalwarts at CNN and MSNBC should dispel them. The atmosphere among pundits, who have consistently defended Biden’s mental state, was a funereal. Some appeared on the verge of tears, with many openly calling for Biden to step aside in favor of another candidate for 2024. It has become apparent, even to his staunchest defenders, that no amount of spin or obfuscation can counter what the American people witnessed.
The most significant takeaway from the debate wasn’t just that Joe Biden is beyond his prime; that much was evident long before. The revelation was that the Democratic media apparatus can no longer gaslight the American public. The truth was laid bare, and no amount of propaganda can obscure it.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Emperor has no clothes.
Many Democratic Party elders and strategists must be questioning the wisdom of allowing last night's debate to occur. The debate format was ostensibly rigged in their favor, featuring no audience, muted microphones, and partisan moderators. However, this format may have been their greatest misstep. By muting the microphones, they neutralized Trump’s propensity for interruptions—his most glaring flaw. In 2020, when Biden lost his train of thought, Trump’s interruptions inadvertently saved him. Without this dynamic, Biden was left struggling to complete his sentences. At several points, Trump appeared genuinely concerned for Biden—both as a man and for the nation.
Moreover, an audience could have benefited Biden. He is an old-school, people-person politician who thrives in front of crowds. Even a Biden grappling with the effects of age has his best moments—still a low bar—in the presence of a crowd. While an audience might confuse Biden, it could also serve as a familiar touchstone, reminding him of where he is and helping him stay focused.
The decision to forgo an audience and mute the microphones might have backfired, as it removed the very elements that could have played to Biden’s strengths. Now, Democrats must grapple with the fallout and reassess their strategy moving forward.
Reality has dawned on the Democratic Party, and the scramble to replace Joe Biden has commenced. But can they realistically achieve this? The task is daunting. Beyond the intricate inner-party rules and regulations, the most formidable challenge lies in the politics of replacing the first woman of color who serves as vice president and is the presumptive heir to the presidency.
Kamala Harris, outside the Democratic Party’s base of Black women, is even more unpopular than Joe Biden. Her chances against Donald Trump are just as slim. Replacing Biden with Harris, often derided for her nervous laughter and nonsensical word salads, leaves the Democrats in the same precarious position. Despite being two decades younger, Harris and Biden appear to be intellectual peers. Over her three years in the national spotlight, Harris has consistently demonstrated a lack of presidential gravitas, becoming a figure of ridicule—but she remains a woman of color. The backbone of the Democratic Party is unlikely to accept quietly the sidelining of their candidate in favor of a slick California governor or a white woman governor from a Midwestern state.
The Democratic Party faces a conundrum. Any move to replace Biden risks alienating a crucial segment of their base, igniting internal strife, and potentially weakening their position against a resurgent Republican challenge. The dilemma is stark: to maintain unity and any hopes of momentum, or to risk upheaval in the pursuit of a more viable candidate. This delicate balancing act will define the party's strategy as it navigates these turbulent political waters.
The debate served as a wake-up call for many Americans, extending beyond the realm of politics. For 90 minutes, the public witnessed a president who appeared to have lost his grip on reality. The so-called “cheap fakes” were, in fact, genuine. Now, the Democrats face the daunting task of navigating this historic debacle. With the calendar showing only June, there remains ample time to address and rectify the situation, but the path forward is fraught with challenges.