Presidential debate: Incumbent usually struggles with first faceoff, even Reagan and Obama, expert says

Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. Having trouble? Click here.

President Biden’s weak first debate may not prove to be his ultimate undoing if history is a barometer. Incumbents often struggle to find their footing but, in the end, win re-election.

"Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know," Barack Obama wrote on social media platform X Friday. "But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself."

Biden faced scathing criticism from the media and prompted reports of panic within his party after what many described as a disastrous faceoff with Trump. The pair stood even in the polls before the debate, but Trump gained a few points over the weekend after the debate.

Biden appeared to struggle with his answers and stumbled with his words, prompting Trump at one point to say, "I have no idea what he just said." Democratic governors have scheduled a meeting with Biden for later this week, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, on Tuesday became the first elected Democrat to urge Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and allow a new candidate to face Trump.

TEXAS CONGRESSMAN BECOMES FIRST ELECTED DEM TO CALL ON BIDEN TO WITHDRAW FROM ELECTION: ‘TOO MUCH IS AT STAKE’

Biden Campaign Chairwoman Jen O’Malley Dillon pointed to history to defend the president’s performance, telling NBC in an interview that "every incumbent