Democrats discuss replacing Biden with another candidate after debate with Trump

NYT reports.

The publication writes that the problem is Biden's unconvincing performance during the debate, his regular stumbling blocks, weak voice, and inability to clearly present his party's position on key issues.

"Parties exist to win. A person who was on stage with Trump cannot win. Fear of Trump suppressed criticism of Biden. Now, the same fear will fuel calls for his withdrawal as a candidate," said a senior Biden campaign official.

A group of House Democrats said they watched the debate together, and one, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted it was a "disaster" for Biden. The representative said the group was discussing the need for a new presidential candidate.

Mark Buell, a prominent donor to Biden and the Democratic Party, said after the debate that the president should seriously consider whether he is the best person for the nomination: "Do we have time to put someone else in there?”

He added that he is not calling for Biden to step aside yet, but “the Democratic leadership has an obligation to go to the White House and clearly show what America thinks, because democracy is at stake here, and we are all nervous.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of those mentioned as a possible replacement for Mr. Biden, in addition to Vice President Kamala Harris, has brushed aside talk of a change of candidates.

"I would never turn my back on President Biden's record. I would never turn my back on President Biden, and I don't know of any Democrat in my party who would, especially after tonight," he told reporters after the debate.

Andrew Young, who ran in the 2020 Democratic primary, wrote on X before the debate ended: "Guys, the Democrats need to nominate someone else - before it's too late.”

Some Democrats say it's too late, noting that Biden is a proud, stubborn man who has long insisted that he is best equipped to defeat Trump and will not listen to anyone except perhaps his wife, Jill Biden.

• According to a CNN poll, after the debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, 5% of viewers changed their minds about who to vote for. Trump was named the winner of the debate by 67% of viewers, and Biden by 33%.