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Democrats Begin Asking the Question: Should We Replace Biden?

Biden’s performance was so rocky Thursday night that many Democrats are now wondering if their only hope is Biden withdrawing from the top of the ticket.

Images of U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, are reflected in an open car door as people watch the first general election debate of the 2024 season on a giant outdoor screen.
President Joe Biden waves before speakiing with reporters as he boards Air Force One. Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Within minutes of Thursday night’s debate, one question was rising to the minds of many Democrats: Will Joe Biden really be the presidential nominee?

Biden’s opening remarks were so muddled — his voice so hoarse — that much of the conversation on social media almost immediately turned to questions about whether Biden could be replaced on the Democratic ticket. At various points, the president stumbled over his words and seemed to lose his train of thought. He misspoke several times. And he came off as unprepared for, not just the debate, but also for another four years.

Biden went from gloating on social media that he was “jacked up” for the showdown to sources familiar with the situation telling NBC News that, actually, “President Biden has a cold.”