washington – In the wake of President Biden's calamity debate performance last week, his campaign unveiled a new ad on Monday highlighting his more energetic aspects after the debate, in which he called out former President Donald Trump for many lies and exaggerations he said during the debate. These post-debate appearances largely took place in front of friendly crowds, much smaller than the 51 million who watched the debate, and in at least two of those appearances, the president read his remarks from a teleprompter.
After the debate, which has raised concerns among Democrats about President Biden's fitness for a second term, his family is encouraging him to stay in the race and keep fighting, a source with knowledge of the matter said. talks on CBS News. The president was with the family on Sunday for a long-planned reunion at Camp David. White House and campaign officials also say there are no plans to make significant changes to the president's campaign schedule or cadence in the wake of the debate.
Mr. Biden's showing at last week's debate, where the 81-year-old president struggled to correct Trump's falsehoods while giving rambling answers to key questions in a hoarse voice, has raised concerns about his ability to serve and suggestions from some Democrats that he should reconsider his presidential bid. The editorial board of the New York Times explicitly asked him to do so leave the race. But in the wake of the debate, his campaign has said there are no talks about dropping out of the presidential race.
One of the family members urging Biden to stay in the race is the president's son. Hunter Biden, two sources told CBS News. Sources say some family members are frustrated with how prepared Mr. Biden was for the debate, which took place at Camp David in the days leading up to Thursday's game. Still, a campaign aide stressed that reports of career talks between family members are the result of “casual” family talk, making it clear the feelings didn't come up as part of an argument. formal family
“The trip was planned. Of course it came up. But it wasn't a 'family reunion' or anything like that,” an aide said. Other aides said the family had met for a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz, who previously photographed the Obama family. The weekend was selected for the photo shoot because the family usually gets together for the 4th of July holiday.
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Another source close to first lady Jill Biden said she “doesn't feel like” some of her family members are being described in the reports, which show concern among family members about how three key advisers — the top adviser to the White House, Anita Dunn, her husband. , personal attorney Bob Bauer and former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, led preparations for the debate.
Another source blamed Biden's inner circle for the debate preparations, telling CBS News that instead of allowing the president to be himself, “they fattened him up with facts that nobody cares about” to fact-check the former president Donald Trump and they have sold him out. . That source also blamed CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash for not checking Trump. Before the debate, CNN said Tapper and Bash would not try to fact-check statements made by Trump or Mr. Biden in real time, although CNN political director David Chalian said they had room to do so if they did. they considered as necessary, according to the Associated Press.
“Obviously, if there's some glaring fact that needs to be checked or the record needs to be set straight, Jake and Dana can do that,” Chalian said before the debate. “But that's not their role. They're not here to participate in this debate. They're here to facilitate a debate between Trump and Biden.”
The first lady, who is the subject of Vogue's August cover, spoke to Vogue over the weekend from Camp David after the debate, telling the magazine that she's “not going to let these 90 minutes define the four years she's been president. We'll keep doing it.” fight”.
Senior officials spent the weekend having “honest conversations” with Democratic lawmakers, donors and other stakeholders. Those officials strongly insist that Mr. Biden is in the best position to beat Trump. Another source told CBS News that despite the president's poor debate, there has been an increase in fundraising and volunteer participation, saying the campaign has received hundreds of new resumes and new donor interest.
“There's been a real jolt of energy,” the source said.
But for voters, the debate came at a time when many Americans believe the president may be too old for the job. And a new one CBS News poll found that since the debate, the percentage of voters who say Mr. Biden has the cognitive ability to serve as president has dropped from 35% just a few weeks ago to 27%. Now, nearly three-quarters of voters say the president should not run for re-election, including nearly half of Democrats, the poll found.
Still, opinions about former President Donald Trump's cognitive ability aren't far off. About half of voters say Trump lacks the cognitive health to serve. But voters generally agree that Trump came out stronger during the debate, presenting his ideas more clearly while appearing more confident and presidential.
Robert Costa contributed to this report.
Nancy Cordes
