Political Pundits Draw Knives After Shaky Biden Debate Performance

A less-than-reassuring debate performance from President Joe Biden Thursday night sparked concern about his spot atop the 2024 Democratic ticket, from party operatives speaking in private to political pundits in high-profile publications.

Friday’s New York Times opinion section was particularly brutal, with no positive spin whatsoever for Biden coming from the paper’s marquee names.

“Joe Biden Is A Good Man and a Good President. He Must Bow Out of the Race,” wrote Thomas Friedman. Paul Krugman echoed that sentiment: “The Best President of My Adult Life Needs to Withdraw.” Nicholas Kristof added to the chorus: “Mr. President, one way you can serve your country in 2024 is by announcing your retirement and calling on delegates to replace you, for that is the safest course for our nation.” Frank Bruni declared that “Biden Cannot Go On Like This.”

A transcript of a podcast discussion between Ezra Klein, Michelle Cottle and Ross Douthat bears the headline: “Is Biden Too Old? America Got Its Answer.”

The paper also published an infographic for readers to illustrate how poorly 12 other New York Times writers thought of Biden’s performance. Of the 12, only two argued the debate was even a draw between the two candidates.

The headline: “‘God Help Us’: 12 Writers Rate Biden’s Performance at the First Presidential Debate.”

Over at The Washington Post, alarm bells were similarly audible.

“Democrats panic over Biden, doubting his future,” reads the top Election 2024 headline, on a story by Ashley Parker. “Trump is too dangerous for Democrats to stick with Biden,” wrote Ramesh Ponnuru.

The paper also published several analysis pieces pondering possible next steps. “So, uh, how would Kamala Harris do against Trump?” asked one, while