In the wake of a lackluster debate performance, US President Joe Biden has been on a mission to reassure Democratic donors and supporters of his ability to win the upcoming November presidential election against former President Donald Trump. Despite the concerns raised by his performance, Biden remains confident and is committed to fighting for his re-election.

On Saturday, President Biden attended a series of fundraising events in New York and New Jersey, where he addressed the concerns raised by his performance in CNN’s Presidential Debate. Speaking candidly, Biden admitted, “I didn’t have a great night, but neither did Trump” during Thursday’s debate. He expressed unwavering confidence, promising his supporters, “I promise you we’re going to win this election.”

Biden’s debate performance, characterized by hard-to-follow and shaky answers, has sparked fresh fears among some Democrats regarding his candidacy. Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged that Biden’s performance “wasn’t great,” while his former communications director, Kate Bedingfield, labeled it “really disappointing.” These reactions underscore the concerns within the party about Biden’s ability to effectively contest this high-stakes election.

Despite these criticisms, Biden pledged to fight harder, emphasizing his determination to overcome this setback. New Jersey’s Democratic Governor Phil Murphy, who attended the fundraiser alongside Biden and the First Lady, expressed his unwavering support, telling Biden, “we are all with you 1,000%.”

The Biden campaign has acknowledged that the debate did not go as planned but firmly stated that the president would not step aside for another nominee. Campaign chairwoman Jennifer O’Malley Dillon emphasized that internal post-debate polling showed that “voters’ opinions were not changed.” She downplayed the significance of the debate performance, stating, “It will not be the first time that overblown media narratives have driven temporary dips in the polls.”

Former President Barack Obama, a close ally of Biden, also weighed in on social media, reminding supporters that “bad debate nights happen.” Obama framed the election as a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary people his entire life and someone who “only cares about himself.”

Trump’s Reaction

In stark contrast to Biden’s reassurances, former President Donald Trump declared the debate a “big victory” for his campaign. Speaking to his supporters, Trump claimed that Biden’s issue is not his age but his competence, describing him as “grossly incompetent.” This sharp critique from Trump highlights the contentious nature of the upcoming election and the high stakes involved.

Biden’s debate performance has not only drawn criticism from political figures but also from prominent media outlets. An editorial in the New York Times described Biden’s determination to run again as a “reckless gamble” and urged him to do some soul-searching. The editorial suggested that Democrats should acknowledge Biden’s limitations and consider selecting a more capable candidate.

Voters across the United States have also expressed concerns about the choices before them following Thursday’s debate. Long-time Democrat Lori Gregory admitted she “could not handle” watching the debate, questioning, “is this the best our country can do?” Republican Crystal Myers-Barber found the debate “painful to watch” but thought Trump “came across very level-headed and presidential,” while Biden appeared “very weak.” Democrat Shana Ziolko shared her frustration, noting there was no clear winner in the debate.

A post-debate poll conducted by liberal pollster Data for Progress found that 62% of likely voters who watched or read about the debate believed Trump won, while only 30% thought Biden was victorious. This poll underscores the challenges Biden faces in convincing voters of his competence and leadership.

However, campaign fundraising may offer a glimmer of hope for Biden’s candidacy. In a memo, campaign chairwoman Jennifer O’Malley Dillon revealed that the campaign had raised more than $27 million from the Thursday debate to Friday evening. She emphasized that the data from battleground states indicated a different story from the national narrative, asserting that “the election was incredibly close before Thursday, and by every metric we’ve seen since, it remains just as close.”

President Joe Biden’s efforts to reassure donors and supporters of his ability to win the November election reflect his determination to overcome the challenges posed by a poor debate performance. Despite criticisms from within his own party and the media, Biden remains confident in his candidacy. With continued fundraising success and the support of key Democratic figures, he aims to rally his base and contest the high-stakes election against Donald Trump. The road to the November election promises to be a contentious and closely watched battle, with both candidates vying for the support of a divided electorate.