Why was it a surprise? Biden’s debate problems leave some wondering if the press missed the story

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden’s fitness to serve a second term in office has been a top story since his halting performance in last week’s debate against Donald Trump, where the president at times appeared unable to complete or articulate some thoughts in the pressure of the moment.

To some press critics who are now reading these stories, there’s another question: What took you so long?

“It is simply astounding for the entire country, including its most seasoned reporters, to be as shocked as everyone was by the ugly and painful reality of Biden’s debate performance,” Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, told the website Semafor this week.

While it was a “super hard story to report,” she said it could have been done. Instead, Abramson said, the American press failed in its duty to hold those in power accountable.

Certainly, there’s no shortage of “I told you so” sentiment coming from Biden opponents. “Conservatives have noticed that for a very long time,” said “Fox & Friends” host Ainsley Earhardt.

It’s a complicated story that has bubbled for months — and, it can be argued, the American people were onto it first.

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