In the newest attempt to win back support heading into November, President Joe Biden met with more than twenty Democratic governors at the White House this week. There, he said he needs to get more sleep and work fewer hours. During his statement, which was originally reported by the New York Times, Biden also said he would stop holding events after 8pm, which many are calling a problematic solution.
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These remarks come just one week after a disastrous presidential debate; and although former President Donald Trump’s performance was filled with lies and evasion, it seems Biden’s incoherence is all anyone can talk about. The president recently said he “almost fell asleep onstage” during the debate.... which isn’t the most comforting revelation coming from the 81-year-old nominee.
In the past, Trump has jokingly calling Biden “Sleepy Joe,” and maybe the nickname has some truth to it. Biden is known to have fallen asleep in meetings and even freeze while giving public speeches; and after the debate, Biden’s political supporters are taking notice.
Several Democrats are calling for the incumbent to drop out of the race and let someone younger take the lead, but Biden says he’s “not going anywhere.” On a call with campaign staffers, Biden said “let me say this as clearly as I possibly can, as simply and straightforward as I can: I am running … no one’s pushing me out.”
But as the Democratic party continues to free-fall, several leaders are coming out in support of Biden, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore who said “The president is our nominee. The president is our party leader.” after the White House meeting.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who also attended the meeting, said Biden was “in it to win it and I support him.”
The Biden campaign has tried many ways to reassure voters of his competence and enthusiasm heading into November, but it’s unclear if the public is really buying it. In a recent poll, almost half of voters say Biden should step aside.
According to the Biden campaign, the key to his success is balance. “President [George W.] Bush went to bed at 9, and President [Barack] Obama made dinner at 6:30,”a Biden campaign spokesman, Kevin Munoz, said in a statement to the Times.
During the meeting, the president also made — what he calls — a joke that didn’t exactly leave the room with thunderous laughter. Biden told officials “I’m fine — I don’t know about my brain, though.”
Biden is no comedian, and his remarks left some leaders feeling frustrated and concerned for the future of their party, reports CNN. Two days after the debate, Axios reported Biden “is more likely to have verbal miscues and become fatigued” after the hours of 10am and 4pm.
For now, Biden said his new schedule will help him appear stronger and less tired. If he wants any chance of winning the upcoming election, Biden has to dispel any public fears that he’s not the man for the job.
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