Vice President
Kamala Harris
on Thursday said that President Joe Biden's performance in the critical debate against his Republican rival
Donald Trump
had a "slow start", but he had a "strong finish."
In a post-debate interview with CNN, Kamala Harris addressed Biden's initial performance, which she described as a slow beginning but, she urged voters to evaluate both Biden and Trump based on their entire tenures in office.
Harris said, "It was a slow start, that's obvious to everyone. I'm not going to debate that point," after Biden's faltering performance raised fears over his candidacy.
"I'm not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I've been watching the last three-and-a-half years of performance," she added.
President Joe Biden displayed a shaky, halting performance during his debate with Republican rival Donald Trump. Trump attacked Biden with a series of statements, many of which were often false, as both candidates exchanged personal insults ahead of the November election.
The two candidates, the oldest to ever vie for the presidency, clashed on a wide range of issues, from reproductive rights and border security to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, economic management, and even their golfing abilities.
Despite attempts by Biden's supporters to downplay his unsteady showing, with White House officials attributing it to a cold, the president's lackluster performance has likely exacerbated concerns among Democrats and voters alike about his fitness to serve to serve another four-year term at the age of 81.
The debate, which failed to significantly alter the long-standing deadlock in opinion polls, highlighted the deep divisions between the two candidates and the personal animosity that has characterized their rivalry.
Biden struggled with a hoarse voice and hesitant delivery, while Trump, 78, was forceful and aggressive.
Despite a somewhat shaky beginning, marked by occasional stumbles over his words, Biden regained his composure midway through the debate. He launched a pointed attack on Trump, referencing the president's conviction for concealing hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, labeling him a "felon."
The debate was the first ever between a sitting president and a former president. The unprecedented televised debate on CNN, spanning 90 minutes, took place much earlier than any modern
presidential debate
, occurring more than four months before the November 5th Election Day.
(With inputs from agencies)
English (US) ·