Biden Blames Poor Debate Performance on Travels

The weak performance in the debate against Donald Trump was due to many international trips. That's what the President says now himself. It's no excuse, but it's an explanation, says Biden.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 03 2024

Biden Blames Poor Debate Performance on Travels
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/TT

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The weak performance in the debate against Donald Trump was due to many international trips. The president says so himself now.

It's no excuse, but it's an explanation, says Biden.

Biden adds that it wasn't a particularly smart decision to "travel around the world a couple of times" shortly beforehand.

I didn't listen to my staff, and then I almost fell asleep on stage, he says.

The president's performance in the TV debate last week has been called catastrophic. Biden had trouble finding words, finishing sentences, and holding together his arguments. He seemed aged, hoarse, and stiff. Then his staff said he was coming down with a cold.

After the debate, there have been many questions about whether the 81-year-old would be able to handle four more years in the presidential post. On Tuesday, the first congressman from the Democrats, Lloyd Doggett, went public and urged Biden to step aside and let someone else from the Democrats run against Trump in the presidential election on November 5.

Vice President Kamala Harris has said that Biden got off to a "slow start" in the debate. But she is proud to be his vice presidential candidate.

Joe Biden is our nominee. We've beaten Trump once and we'll beat him again, she tells CBS News.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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