Biden vows to keep White House, undeterred by Democratic panic after debate disaster
President Biden ignored the chorus of Democratic officials and pundits who say he should step aside as the party’s nominee after his widely panned debate performance and vowed to win North Carolina and the White House at a rally on Friday. Democrats and liberal media figures are in reported “panic” after Biden stumbled over his words, gaped at TV cameras and sounded sick and tired during Thursday’s presidential debate on CNN. But the president shrugged off his critics and focused his fire on former President Trump in front of an enthusiastic audience the next day in Raleigh. “I know I’m not a young man … I don’t debate as well as I used to,” Biden told the crowd, “but I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth.” Trump “set a new record for the most lies told in a single debate,” the president claimed, delivering energetic and forceful attacks on Trump’s record that were more muted on stage Thursday night in Atlanta. TRUMP, BIDEN TO HOLD DUELING RALLIES IN THESE KEY STATES POST DEBATE AS THEY AIM TO EXPAND THE 2024 MAP Biden said Trump lied about his handling of the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic, health care for veterans and crime. “On my watch, violent crime has hit a 50-year low,” Biden said. “Then I pointed out that the only convicted felon on stage last night was Donald Trump. Well, I thought about his 34 felony convictions, his sexual assault on a woman in a public place. He’s been fined $400 million for business fraud.” “I thought to myself, Donald Trump isn’t just a convicted felon. Donald Trump is a one-man crime wave,” he added, as the crowd began eager chants of “lock him up,” referring to Trump. After his face-to-face showdown with Trump in Atlanta, the 81-year-old Biden sought to reassure voters and members of his party that he’s capable of being president amid intensified concerns about his age. BIDEN SURROGATE ADMITS PRESIDENT HAD A ‘BAD NIGHT’ AT DEBATE: ‘CERTAINLY NOT THE FINEST HOUR’ Pundits declared Trump the winner of the debate based not on the strength of his answers but rather Biden’s comparative weakness. The incumbent president spoke haltingly and at times appeared to lose his train of thought as he traded jabs with Trump over the economy and inflation, immigration and border security, abortion, the Jan. 6 2021 Capitol riot and other issues. At one point in his answer to a question on the economy, Biden said “Excuse me, with, dealing with,” before concluding with “we finally beat Medicare” as time ran out. Trump immediately pounced: “That’s right, he did beat Medicaid, he beat it to death. And he’s destroying Medicare.” In another stand-out moment minutes later, after a rambling answer from Biden on immigration, Trump called out his opponent’s incoherent speech. FETTERMAN URGES DEMS TO ‘CHIL THE F–K OUT’ ABOUT BIDEN, SAYS HE’S PROOF ‘ROUGH DEBATE’ ISN’T DEAL-BREAKER “I really don’t know what he said on this, and I don’t think he knows what he said either,” Trump said. The optics led to a full-on meltdown in Democrat-friendly media, with journalists at various outlets reporting on dozens of Democratic Party officials who said Biden should consider refusing his party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August. Biden gave no indication he would do so at his rally in Raleigh, insisting that he is capable of beating Trump. “I can do this job, because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high,” Biden said. “Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this nation.” Biden has about four more months and a second debate — to be hosted by ABC News on Sept. 10 — to make his case against Trump before Americans head to the polls in November. Undeterred by his critics, he insisted in Raleigh that he will win both North Carolina and the White House. “I know, like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down, you get back up,” he said. Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Rep. James Clyburn: Biden must ’stay the course’ despite ‘poor performance’ at debate
Influential South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn told reporters Friday that he intends to tell President Biden to “stay the course” despite his “poor performance” in the debate last night against former President Trump. Clyburn, whose nomination helped pave the way for Biden to secure the nomination in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, told Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram that “anytime you see a performance that gets the kind of reviews that that performance got, that would be cause for concern. “And there may be a lot of reasons for it,” Clyburn continued. “And we’ll find out what the reasons are, but you know he’s in Raleigh, North Carolina today. I’ll be interested in seeing how things go today.” Clyburn likened Biden’s debate performance to “strike one” in a game of baseball. SENIOR CITIZENS CONCERNED BY BIDEN’S DEBATE SHOWING, BELIEVE ‘BIDEN IS NOT A GOOD PERFORMER’: REPORT “If this were a ballgame, he’s got two more swings,” he said. Clyburn stated that he thinks there is “no better Democrat” than Biden to communicate the party’s platform. ABC’S ‘THE VIEW’ ERUPTS WITH CALLS FOR BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE AFTER DEBATE: ‘MAYBE HE NEEDS TO GO’ Clyburn also said he plans to meet with Biden later Friday, where he will tell him to “stay the course.” “I’m gonna say it the last time — it was a poor performance,” Clyburn told reporters on Capitol Hill. But he added that Democrats calling for Biden to drop out of the race following last night’s debate performance should “stay the course” and “chill out.” Fox News’ Alexandra Rego and Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
Biden’s cabinet has few words about Biden fitness concerns post-debate
Cabinet members who proudly defended President Biden’s fitness for office prior to Thursday night’s presidential debate took a more reserved, if unambiguous, stance on Friday morning as the dust settled. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., on Friday released a statement that insisted that the debate showed “clearly” that “Biden is unfit for office.” “His mental and physical decline has been obvious throughout his presidency,” Johnson said. “To anyone who hasn’t been paying attention, last night should have been a wake up call.” Fox News contributor Liz Peek noted that CNN’s post-debate analysis highlighted that Biden did not appear capable of serving four more years, with even his most ardent supporters wobbling. BIDEN SURROGATE ADMITS PRESIDENT HAD A ‘BAD NIGHT’ AT DEBATE: ‘CERTAINLY NOT THE FINEST HOUR’ And cabinet members provided terse responses to inquiries about Biden’s performance in contrast to their more effusive pre-debate defenses of Biden’s capability to perform the duties of the President of the United States. When asked if Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stands by his previous statement, a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “YES.” Mayorkas last week rejected accusations that Biden is “slipping,” instead claiming that “the president always draws on our prior conversations and past events in analyzing the issues and reaching his conclusion.” TRUMP SAYS BIDEN ‘WILL BE THE NOMINEE’ AMID DEM PANIC OVER DEBATE PERFORMANCE The spokesperson also insisted that the 25th Amendment “SHOULD NOT” be invoked to try and shift Biden out of the race and make room for another candidate. Secretary of State Antony Blinken likewise stands by his comments made earlier this month, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. He insisted that no one is talking about invoking the 25th Amendment, which can be invoked by the Cabinet if the president becomes disabled to such a degree that he cannot fulfill his responsibilities. In previous comments to Fox News Digital, Blinken stressed that during his 22 years working with Biden, “his depth of knowledge, fluency with policy and politics and ability to cut to the chase and argue his case are exceptoinal. He’s invariably one step ahead of us.” A spokesperson for Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said that they had “nothing to add” beyond comments made last week, in which Haaland touted Biden’s mentorship and described his leadership as “a strong, experienced hand as well as a compassionate heart in this era of both environmental and political challenges.” TRUMP SWAYS INDEPENDENT VOTERS OVER BIDEN ON IMMIGRATION IN FOX NEWS DIGITAL FOCUS GROUP “Each time, he takes charge and implores us to think more deeply about our task of moving our country forward,” Haaland said in the earlier remarks. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm also underscored her support for Biden, according to Department of Energy Director of Public Affairs Amanda Finney. “Yes, the Secretary stands by her comments made previously,” Finney said in an email to Fox News Digital. A spokesperson for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Fox News Digital that the secretary “stands by her previous comments including the statement provided to Fox digital” and rejected talk of the 25th Amendment, saying there are no rumblings and “it won’t be” invoked. BODY LANGUAGE EXPERT’S BRUTAL TAKE ON BIDEN’S DEBATE AGAINST TRUMP: ‘LIKE A DEAD MAN WALKING’ Yellen previously told Fox News Digital, “Both in Washington and in meetings with world leaders around the globe — including during strenuous negotiations with [Chinese] President Xi — I’ve always seen President Biden to be extremely well-informed, in command of the facts and very effective in advancing American interests.” In response to an inquiry to Vice President Harris, who made the rounds on CNN and MSNBC immediately following the debate on Thursday night, a White House spokesperson did not respond and instead referred to the campaign for any comments. Other cabinet members did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment by the time of publication.
Trump sways independent voters over Biden on immigration in Fox News Digital focus group
Former President Trump appeared to earn significant approval from Republican and independent voters who were part of a Fox News Digital focus group during his response to President Biden’s claims about immigration during the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday night. When CNN moderator Jake Tapper asked Biden to inform voters how he can curb the record-high numbers of illegal immigrants crossing the border, the two presidential contenders sparred over their immigration policies, which ended in Biden calling Trump a “liar” and Trump appearing to not understand a portion of Biden’s responses. After touting Congress’ bipartisan border package that lawmakers bucked earlier this year, Biden said “we find ourselves in a situation where when [Trump] was president, he was separating babies from their mothers, put them in cages, making sure that the families were separated.” FIRST 2024 TRUMP-BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: TOP CLASHES OVER ISSUES FROM THE BORDER TO UKRAINE “That’s not the right way to go. What I’ve done since I’ve changed the law, what’s happened? I’ve changed it in a way that now you’re in a situation where there are 40% fewer people coming across the border illegally. That’s better than when he left office. And I’m going to continue to move until we get the total ban on the total initiative relative to what we can do with more Border Patrol and more asylum officers,” Biden said. During Biden’s remarks, Republican and independent voters who took part in the Fox News Digital focus group gave the president low approval. When Trump responded, however, the approval from the same voters shot up, indicating support for the former president’s positions on the subject. Republican approval lines are color-coded red, while independents’ are color-coded yellow and Democrats’ blue. BIDEN’S HIT ON TRUMP OVER ‘SUCKERS’ AND ‘LOSERS’ REPORT BACKFIRES WITH INDEPENDENTS: FOCUS GROUP Trump, appearing to not understand Biden, responded: “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence, I don’t think he knows what he said, either.” “Look, we had the safest border in the history of our country,” Trump added. “All he had to do was leave it, all he had to do was to leave it. He decided to open up our border, open up our country, to people that are from prisons, people that are from mental institutions, insane asylum, terrorists — we have the largest number of terrorists coming into our country right now.” Approval from Democratic voters who took part in the real-time reaction gave Biden high marks for his remarks on immigration. During Trump’s rebuttal, Democratic approval dropped significantly. Fox News’ Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
Kenya protests simmer after deadly week of demonstrations
Hundreds gathered for the funeral of a teenage demonstrator killed during Kenya’s antigovernment protests as the death toll from days of unrest rose to 27. Three more protesters died overnight Friday as police continued a violent crackdown with the Kenyan High Court ordering security forces to halt the firing of live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas and water cannon into crowds. The turmoil unfolded as young activists successfully forced the government to shelve $2.7bn in tax hikes this week, and now focus on ending years of what they see as endemic corruption and shoddy governance. Protesters say the finance bill that President William Ruto abandoned on Wednesday was only a symptom of the problems plaguing a country, where many young people have few job prospects despite strong economic growth. After pledging to scrap the tax plan, Ruto now faces growing pressure to resign. The High Court ruled in favour of a petition submitted by a lawyer representing the political opposition and human rights groups demanding a halt to the use of potentially deadly weaponry by police against protesters. It also ordered police to refrain from “extrajudicial killing, abduction, and torture” against the antitax demonstrators. Demas Kiprono, acting executive director of the Kenyan Section International Commission of Jurists, told Al Jazeera the move by the High Court to ban violent police tactics shows an acknowledgement that “something has gone wrong”. “The petition claims the weapons and tactics used by police during the protests were egregious and violated a raft of human rights from expression, assembly, to the right to life,” said Kiprono. But he noted the court does not have any mechanism to ensure police comply with the ruling. “So it is upon other instruments of government – the national police service commission, the executive – to respect this order.” ‘We want better living conditions’ Writer and activist Nanjala Nyabola said most of those involved in the recent protests were motivated by legitimate, strong grievances against the government. “Until those grievances are addressed, it’s unlikely that they’re going to be willing to make concessions.” How the diffuse and leaderless movement, which largely organised via social media, pursues its objectives remains an open question – and a source of internal debate. Christine Odera, co-chair of the Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security, a civil society organisation, said it needed to formalise its structures to advance young people’s interests and speak to the government. “If we go organically then we might lose the whole conversation,” said Odera, who participated in the protests. “The president has said we need to have conversations. All of us cannot sit in a stadium and have a conversation.” Others disagree. Ojango Omondi of the Social Justice Centres Working Group, a community activist group in a poor district of Nairobi, said establishing structures and national representatives could allow the movement to be corrupted by politicians. “We don’t need to negotiate anything,” he said. “All we want is better living conditions. All we want is the leaders to stop using our resources … to sponsor their lavish lifestyle.” Another moment to watch for could be the government’s next proposal to raise revenues. Some protesters suspect it will still try to ram tax rises through. In a country where protest has traditionally been driven by ethnic affinities, the current youth-driven demonstrations have stood out for building unity around common grievances. ‘Class and wealth disparity’ But cracks are already emerging. Despite Ruto’s U-turn on the tax hikes, some protesters called for a planned march on his residence to go ahead on Thursday in an attempt to remove him from power. Others rejected the idea as a dangerous gambit. In the end, there were smaller protests in several cities. In Ruto’s hometown and political stronghold of Eldoret – where thousands from different ethnic groups took to the streets on Tuesday – a human rights activist said some tensions resurfaced since the president withdrew the tax bill. Nicholas Omito, CEO of the Centre for Human Rights and Mediation, said demonstrators from Ruto’s Kalenjin ethnic group argued protests should end now, while ethnic Kikuyus insist they should continue until Ruto resigns. Protesters posting on social media accused local politicians of trying to incite trouble to undermine the movement. Nyabola, the writer, said she did not think that ethnic divisions posed a risk to a movement that distinguished itself with its sense of national purpose. “You’re never going to get rid of it completely,” she said. “But for now, the class and wealth disparity between politicians and ordinary people has been the focus.” Adblock test (Why?)
How Rob Walter helped South Africa reach the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final
After years of suffering the pain of late tournament knockouts, South Africa stand on the brink history and glory in their first ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final. And after several terms of high-profile international coaches, it is the relatively unknown Rob Walter who has brought them here. The Proteas booked their place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a brutal defenestration of Afghanistan and will now face India in Barbados on Saturday. Walter is the antithesis of high-profile coaches – he was never a star player, he stays resolutely grounded in interviews and if he is prone to outbursts of raw emotion he does not put them on public display. Just one journalist attended his news conference before South Africa’s semifinal on Wednesday. 🟡🟢 FINAL BOUND | #SAvAFG The dream continues, South Africa! ✨🇿🇦🚀 📖 For the first time in history, the Proteas are through to the ICC T20 World Cup Final. See you in Barbados! 🏟️#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#OutOfThisWorld #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yW7n6vgyrI — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 27, 2024 Monkey off the back The previous 12 South African white-ball coaches include storied names such as Mike Procter, Bob Woolmer, Mickey Arthur and Mark Boucher and yet it is the 48-year-old Walter who has succeeded in shaking off the chokers’ tag that dogged a side that could reach semifinals, but no further. Walter said he believed the team had already overcome their biggest psychological hurdle. “Getting through the semifinal, not having done that before, came with its own pressure,” he told the AFP news agency. “Now that they’ve done that I’m just hoping the guys will go out, play freely and express themselves.” Up until now, South Africa’s results in the knockout stages of a men’s ICC World Cup made for woeful reading. The Proteas played in six 50-over World Cup finals and lost all of them, in a combination of cruel and comical circumstances. In the T20 version, they were knocked out at the last-four stage twice, in 2009 and 2014. While South Africa will be relieved to have the semifinal monkey off their backs, their former players and fans will be hoping their team can deliver the ultimate prize on Saturday. Former fast bowler Dale Steyn, who is on the tournament’s experts’ panel, was seen on the sidelines after South Africa’s win over Afghanistan. The speedster was on the losing side of South Africa’s last two semifinals, at the 50-over World Cup in 2015 against New Zealand and the 2014 T20 World Cup against India. Steyn was visibly emotional as he embraced the South African players and later admitted in a social media post: It’s emotional down here.We’re into a final — Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 27, 2024 If they win, it will be a significant triumph for Walter, whose playing career peaked at schoolboy provincial level and who had only been involved in coaching at age-group level before becoming South Africa’s strength and conditioning coach in 2009, a position he held until 2013. The recommendation of previous national coach Gary Kirsten helped Walter land a job as head coach of the Titans, South Africa’s most successful franchise. The team won three titles in three seasons, leading to head coach positions with Otago and Central Districts in New Zealand. He was appointed South African white-ball coach in January 2023 and has brought a calm to the dressing room, although he admits that outward appearances do not tell the whole tale. “I wouldn’t say there aren’t emotions deep inside, but there’s a calmness required on the side of the field,” he said. “Our job as coaches is to prepare the guys beforehand and make sure that everything’s in place before the first ball is bowled. “Once that happens we try to stay in communication with the captain, but basically, it’s over to the players. “I try not to get too emotionally attached to the result, more to concentrate on how we prepare.” Dale Steyn bowled the last ball that saw South Africa go out of the Cricket World Cup in 2015 [File: Anthony Phelps/Reuters] Dale Steyn embraces South Africa batter David Miller after their semifinal win over Afghanistan [Ash Allen/Reuters] ‘Very level-headed, very calm’ The results, though, have all gone South Africa’s way with eight successive wins, several of them nail-bitingly close. The only truly comprehensive win was against Afghanistan in the semifinal in Trinidad on Wednesday where the Proteas romped to a nine-wicket win after bowling out their opponents for just 56. Walter has high praise for captain Aiden Markram, who he describes as “very level-headed, very calm,” with a tactical astuteness that has enabled him to make crucial decisions under intense pressure. Given that his team have played on atypical and unpredictable pitches, Walter said they would not have any preconceived ideas about what to expect in Barbados. But Walter is confident they will be able to rise to the occasion if conditions in Barbados are more favourable for batsmen, as suggested by earlier results. “The batters have all contributed at different times. We’ve had two decent wickets for batsmen which in eight games is not a lot. “The bowling unit has been unbelievably good, but the batters I am sure are looking forward to better conditions.” If South Africa succeed on Saturday, there can be little doubt that Walter’s low profile may not stay that way for much longer. Ricky Ponting has some words of wisdom for the Proteas before the all-important #T20WorldCup 2024 Final 🙌#SAvIND | More ➡️ https://t.co/QNBX3PKpKJ pic.twitter.com/EHQ9teXoHM — T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 28, 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Tension and stand-offs as South Africa struggles to launch coalition gov’t
Johannesburg, South Africa – Nearly a month since landmark national elections saw the African National Congress (ANC) lose its majority for the first time, forcing it to form a coalition to govern South Africa, a deadlock stemming from the allocation of cabinet positions threatened to topple the whole house of cards. Tense negotiations, mainly between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA), the two biggest parties in the coalition, led to delays this week of President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing his cabinet in the Government of National Unity (GNU). Fears were heightened and markets reacted badly to news of DA leader John Steenhuisen threatening to withdraw from the coalition amid leaks of letters between the two parties’ leaders showing them at loggerheads. But by Friday, as Ramaphosa was due to meet Steenhuisen, the political bartering that characterised the last two weeks of talks showed signs of an imminent agreement. The rand – which fell amid news of the discord – strengthened following indications that a cabinet announcement was pending and that the government would include the market-friendly, right-leaning DA. Political analyst Khaya Sithole said markets were in favour of the DA being part of the GNU – a multiparty coalition – because the party is unlikely to demand radical shifts in economic policy. “A GNU with the DA gives the perception that there will be continuity in economic policy because the ANC will maintain the trajectory it was on,” Sithole told Al Jazeera. He said the DA – which holds 87 parliamentary seats compared with the ANC’s 159 – would not demand new policies or have sufficient political muscle to push through radical changes. “Markets are buying into the continuation of government policies and programmes,” Sithole said, adding that, “an ANC partnership with the DA does not upend the script.” He said markets adversely reacted to fears that the DA may pull out of the GNU because the alternative – a possible allegiance between the ANC, the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and other smaller parties – represented uncertainty. ANC supporters hold placards protesting against partnering with the DA [Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters] Leaked letters The negotiations between parties in the GNU over cabinet positions were marked by a flurry of meetings and correspondence between Ramaphosa and party leaders. During talks, the DA’s demands for specific powerful ministerial positions prompted a stern warning by Ramaphosa in a letter, leaked to the media, that the “DA has jeopardised the foundation of setting up a Government of National Unity by moving the goalposts”. The DA began negotiations with a long list of demands which included 11 cabinet minister posts, a dozen deputy minister positions – including the deputy finance post – and other changes in governance legislation. The party first demanded the deputy president position but conceded when ANC negotiators pushed back. The ANC labelled the initial demands from the DA as “outrageous” and sought to negotiate with other parties as a backup. A subsequent meeting between Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen appeared to have settled differences and calmed tensions. However, after agreeing to six positions in the cabinet, the DA dug in. Steenhuisen – in a letter to Ramaphosa – threatened to withdraw from their coalition agreement if Ramaphosa did not award the party eight ministerial positions. “On a pure proportional basis, out of a Cabinet of 30, the DA’s share of support within the GNU translates to nine positions rather than the six that are currently on the table. Similarly, we cannot see the rationale for reducing the number of DA Deputy Ministries to only four,” Steenhuisen said in a letter to Ramaphosa dated June 24. Democratic Alliance (DA) party leader John Steenhuisen [Nic Bothma/Reuters] Ramaphosa took a hardline response, giving the DA a take-it or leave-it offer, after refusing to increase the number of positions offered to the DA. “I must advise that we are continuing to hold discussions with other parties over the portfolios they could occupy as we seek to finalise the agreement on the GNU. I need to advise that the task of setting up government is quite urgent as we cannot continue with this paralysis,” Ramaphosa wrote in a letter dated June 25 that was leaked to the media. The DA has 21 percent of electoral support compared with the ANC’s 40 percent. The other parties who have signed a declaration of intent make up 8.5 percent of combined electoral support. ‘Almost done’ On Friday, media reports quoting DA officials said the party is still committed to working out a deal with Ramaphosa. Meanwhile, Fikile Mbalula, the ANC secretary-general, posted on X that parties were “almost done with GNU discussions … It will be done as promised.” Good morning South Africa almost done with GNU discussions,In the best interest of all south africans . It will be done as promised. — ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 28, 2024 Also on Friday, Ramaphosa announced that the opening of the new parliament would take place on July 18. The 71-year-old leader was re-elected for a second full term after the ANC’s unprecedented loss of support in the May 29 election – the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994 that the party got less than a 50 percent majority. In the aftermath, the ANC opted to form a coalition government. But they decided against a firm grand coalition with the DA, and opened up negotiations with the smaller parties represented in government to be part of the GNU. The GNU now comprises 10 parties, including the nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), right-wing populist Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), among others. Political analyst and commentator Lukhona Mnguni said the DA’s demands proved that their participation in government alongside the ANC remained “an absolute gamble for them”. “They want enough insulation from the ANC and they want to prove that they have enough isolation from the ANC,” Mnguni told Al Jazeera. He said the DA fears being swallowed by the ANC in the GNU
Texas Democrats worry Biden debate performance could hurt down-ballot races
The president’s bungled debate performance had Democrats fearful voters would stay home in November.
Vulnerable Dems won’t say whether Biden should be nominee: ‘President can make his own decisions’
Democratic members of Congress facing difficult re-election races in November were unwilling to say whether President Biden should be the party’s presidential nominee following his widely criticized debate performance on Thursday night. “The president can make his own decisions about his own campaign,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M. “I think that we’re going to continue to stay focused on our district, and that’s why I’m here in Congress, is to make sure that I represent them,” he explained when asked if Biden should remain on the Democratic ticket. JILL BIDEN GUSHES OVER PRESIDENT’S DEBATE PERFORMANCE DESPITE POOR REVIEWS: ‘YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB’ Vasquez’s district is rated a “Democrat Toss Up” by non-partisan political handicapper Cook Political Report. The Democrat is notably a freshman member of Congress. During Thursday night’s debate, Biden seemed hoarse, soft-spoken and at times confused. By the end of the event, reports had emerged alleging Democratic panic, and hosts on CNN and MSNBC admitted it was a less than stellar showing by the president. “I’m in a rush,” said Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., when confronted with a question about whether Biden should be on the Democratic ticket. His district is also highly competitive in 2024 and Cook rated his seat as “Lean Democrat.” DEM LAWMAKERS STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH FALLOUT OF BIDEN DEBATE PERFORMANCE: ‘DISAPPOINTMENT’ Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., a surrogate for Biden, avoided answering questions posed by Fox News Digital on whether Biden should be the Democratic nominee. His district in Nevada has swung for both parties in the past and is currently rated “Likely Democrat.” “I’m trying to get to the vote,” Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., responded when he was asked if Biden should remain on the Democratic ticket. Davis’ North Carolina district is another “Democrat Toss Up,” per Cook. He is additionally a freshman member, giving him less standing and name identification than longer-serving members. SENIOR CITIZENS CONCERNED BY BIDEN’S DEBATE SHOWING, BELIEVE ‘BIDEN IS NOT A GOOD PERFORMER’: REPORT Each of the four Democrats is included on a target list of 37 congressional seats the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is working to flip in November. The list was first announced in March 2023, with NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., saying, “These House Democrats should be shaking in their boots.” While not in particularly vulnerable districts, some other Democrats refused to say whether Biden should be nominated by the party to be president again in 2024. TRUMP SAYS BIDEN ‘WILL BE THE NOMINEE’ AMID DEM PANIC OVER DEBATE PERFORMANCE “I’m catching up with a colleague here,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., when he was prompted on whether Biden should remain on the Democratic ticket. When Fox News Digital asked the chairman whether he thought Biden was mentally fit for the job after Thursday’s debate performance, he said, “I appreciate you being here.” Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, who similarly doesn’t face a significant challenge to getting re-elected, also did not respond to questions about whether the president should be the Democrats’ nominee come November or whether Biden is mentally fit enough to be in the role. Fox News Digital’s Aubrie Spady contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
WATCH: Fox News Digital focus group reacts to Biden, Trump sparring on cognitive ability, golf games
Independent and Republican voters in Fox News Digital’s focus group appeared to have mixed reactions to President Biden and former President Trump’s sparring over their respective cognitive abilities and golf handicaps, while Democrats generally disapproved. During the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday night, CNN moderator Dana Bash presented the ages Biden and Trump would be at the end of a potential second four-year term. Biden would be 86, while Trump would be 82. FIRST 2024 TRUMP-BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: TOP CLASHES OVER ISSUES FROM THE BORDER TO UKRAINE “I took two cognitive tests, I aced them,” Trump said. “He took none, I’d like to see him take one, just one.” “I just won two club championships, not even senior, two regular club championships. To do that, you have to be quite smart. And you have to be able to hit the ball a long way,” the former president continued. A RASPY BIDEN GETS OFF TO A HALTING START AGAINST TRUMP IN THE FIRST 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DEBATE Biden defended his age, saying he “spent half my career being criticized about being the youngest person in politics. I was the second-youngest person ever elected to the United States Senate, and now I’m the oldest. This guy is three years younger and a lot less competent.” “Look, I’d be happy to have a driving contest with him,” Biden said. “I’ve seen you swing. I know your swing,” Trump fired back. “Let’s not act like children.” Biden replied: “You are a child.” According to Fox Digital’s focus group dial, Republicans and independents approved of Trump’s comments, while Democrats did not. Likewise, Democratic approval soared during Biden’s responses, while independent and Republican voters’ approval took a nosedive. Focus group participants reacted in real time to Biden and Trump, turning dials to indicate approval or disapproval. In the video embedded in this story, Republican participant sentiment is graphed in red, Democrats in blue and independents in yellow.