Joe Biden starts off debate with raspy voice sending most loyal supporters into panic mode over his health

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The hotly anticipated debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump did not bode well for the sitting President, especially after it began with Biden's scratchy voice and frequent throat clearing.

This debate was crucial as it marked the first major face-off ahead of the November election, with Biden attempting to counter Trump's rhetoric amid concerns about his own age and health.

Joe Biden's disappointing debate performance

From the start, Biden's performance was uneven. His attempts to confront Trump were often halting, causing many to question his readiness for the presidency at 81. Biden did criticize Trump on various issues, including his economic policies, illegal immigration, and the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

However, Biden's early performance in the debate crystallized fears among Americans about his age. At 81, many felt he might be too old to serve another term. This led to renewed calls for Biden to consider stepping aside as the Democratic nominee to prevent a potential return of Trump to the White House.

Biden's attempts to provoke Trump covered topics from Trump's recent felony conviction to his alleged insult of World War I veterans. Despite this, Trump's refusal to clearly state he would accept the election results overshadowed Biden's attacks. Even though Biden had spent a week at Camp David preparing, his demeanor during the debate raised concerns, the Associated Press reports.

Joe Biden playing into Donald Trump's narrative about age

Journalist Nicholas Kristof expressed his concern on social media, noting the contrast between Trump's energy and Biden's. Kristof wrote, "Trump is speaking nonsense on many topics, but he's projecting energy; Biden is more substantive but in voice and manner is playing into the Trump narrative that he's old for this job."

Pollster Frank Luntz also observed that undecided voters were worried about Biden's voice, writing, "My focus group of undecided voters is surprised and concerned about Biden’s voice. This doesn’t bode well for questions about his health."

CNN journalist Kasie Hunt highlighted the distress among Democrats regarding Biden's performance, noting, "The voice, open-mouthed look, and visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump all have Democrats I'm talking to nearly beside themselves watching this debate."

Fox News White House reporter Jacqui Heinrich pointed out that Biden's voice sounded "thinner than usual" and his performance was "harmed." She added, "It seems to me that President Biden is fumbling most when he’s reaching for talking points advisers have drilled into him. When he gets mad and speaks off the cuff, it’s cleaner."

Former CNN journalist Chris Cillizza was blunt in his assessment, saying, "Biden looks old. Halting. He just lost his train of thought. His voice is weak. Bad bad bad."

Journalist Yashar Ali shared that even Democrats typically supportive of Biden were not optimistic about his debate performance. He wrote, "I am in multiple large group texts with Democratic operatives, elected officials, staffers, and donors. Not one of them feels good about Biden’s performance tonight in terms of style, his voice, etc."

Joe Biden lacked the 'spark' needed for debate

By the first commercial break, Biden's team seemed to be in damage control mode. NBC reporter Kelly O'Donnell cited sources familiar with the situation, stating, "President Biden has a cold." This explanation, however, did little to quell the criticism.

Trump's allies quickly seized on Biden's perceived weakness. Trump's national press secretary Caroline Leavitt mockingly asked, "What's wrong with Joe Biden's voice? Hasn't he been hiding in the woods for a week?????"

Prominent Democrats also voiced concerns about Biden's ability to move forward. David Axelrod, a longtime advisor to former President Barack Obama, expressed on CNN, "I think the panic had set in. And I think you’re going to hear discussions that, I don’t know will lead to anything, but there are going to be discussions about whether he should continue."

Democratic strategist Van Jones agreed, stating on CNN, "He did not do well at all."

Rosemarie DeAngelis, a Democrat who watched the debate in South Portland, Maine, commented that while Biden gave the right answers, he "didn’t have the spark that we needed tonight."

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