Is Biden sick? Joe’s scratchy voice at the start of the debate sparks questions about his health in dire debate start
From the moment the historic debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump began, viewers immediately reacted to the sound of Biden’s scratchy voice and repeated clearing of his throat.
Biden’s stance caused alarm even after the president spent a week at Camp David resting and preparing for the debate.
“I have a bad feeling about how this debate is going to start,” Nicholas Kristof wrote on social media. “Trump is trash on a lot of issues but exudes energy; Biden is more substantive but plays into the Trump narrative that he’s old for this job in his voice and manner.”
Pollsters were also interested in voters’ reaction to Biden’s vote on stage.
“My focus group of undecided voters is surprised and concerned about Biden’s vote,” wrote pollster Frank Luntz. “This does not bode well for questions about his health.”
US President Joe Biden looks down as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia
CNN journalist Kasie Hunt said Democrats she spoke to were deeply saddened by Biden’s performance.
“The voice, the open mouth, and the visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump almost have the Democrats I speak to upset as they watch this debate,” she wrote.
Fox News and White House reporter Jacqui Heinrich noted that the president’s voice “sounded thinner than normal” and that his performance was “negatively affected overall.”
It seems to me that President Biden is fumbling the most when he is looking for talking points that advisors have drummed into him. If he gets angry and speaks spontaneously, it’s cleaner.
Former CNN journalist Chris Cillizza also issued a warning.
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate of 2024
President Joe Biden looks at his notes during the first presidential debate of 2024
“Biden looks old. Limp. He’s just lost the thread of his thoughts. His voice is weak. Bad bad bad,” he wrote.
Journalist Yashar Ali said he has not heard optimistic assessments of Biden’s performance from Democrats who typically reflexively defend him.
“I am in several large group texts with Democratic operatives, elected officials, staffers and donors,” he wrote. “None of them have a good feeling about Biden’s performance tonight in terms of style, his voice, etc.”
By the first commercial break of the debate, the Biden team already appeared to be doing damage control, as NBC reporters cited details about the president’s condition.
“Two sources familiar with the situation say ‘President Biden has a cold,'” White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell wrote on social media.
Republicans and Trump aides immediately saw Biden’s weakness in the debate.
“What’s wrong with Joe Biden’s vote?” wrote Caroline Leavitt, Trump’s national spokesperson. “Didn’t he hide in the woods for a week?????