President Joe Biden claims he needs more sleep and fewer working hours as the list of excuses for his disastrous debate showing last week continues to grow, the Washington Examiner reported. The president said this Wednesday during a call meant to rally support amid calls for him to step down from his reelection bid.
Speaking to Democratic governors in the meeting, Biden said he would reduce his workload going forward and take it easier. The president also suggested he would skip any events that take place after 8 p.m.
These measures came after Democrats called for Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Citing his horrible showing at the first debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27, many believe he should let someone else take his place as the Democratic candidate.
The trouble was apparent during the event as Biden seemed confused and often garbled his speech. He even appeared to freeze on occasion during the debate, suggesting serious cognitive issues for the 81-year-old.
Advisers close to Biden have reportedly been telling the president he may need to drop out of he can't pull out of this tailspin. The White House claims this is absolutely false.
Biden dismissed Democrats' concerns during the conference with the governors and promised he would not be dropping out. When Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) inquired about Biden's health status, the president denied there was any problem.
"It’s just my brain," Biden told Green. Some people thought it might be a joke, while others were left puzzled by this response.
This explanation is one of several offered by Biden and his handlers as a way of downplaying the serious mental deficiencies on display at the debate. Biden had also claimed it was jet lag after taking several trips overseas.
He claimed it "wasn't very smart" to globe-trot before the debate and that travel left him so tired he "almost fell asleep on stage," Biden said at a recent fundraiser. "It’s not an excuse but an explanation," Biden clarified.
Biden can attempt to explain away his poor performance, but it's unlikely to help. Democrats, including voters, donors, and politicians, are rightly concerned about his chances of losing against Trump.
Members of his own party have been leading the charge for Biden to step aside, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), who was the first to say so publicly. "Recognizing that, unlike Trump, President Biden’s first commitment has always been to our country, not himself, I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw," Doggett wrote.
I wanted to share with you my statement calling on President Biden to withdraw. pic.twitter.com/ocwmsQ1f00
— Rep. Lloyd Doggett (@LloydDoggettTX) July 2, 2024
Others like Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) followed on Doggett's heels to suggest Biden must go. Things have become so dire that former Rep. Tim Ryan even urged Vice President Kamala Harris to take Biden's place as the nominee after Biden's "deeply troubling" performance.
Democrats are in trouble now that the whole world has seen what shape Biden is in. Their only hope is that Biden steps down, which seems unlikely given the president's resolve to stay in the race at all costs.
