Could tonight’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump prove to be as consequential as the June 27 face-off between Trump and President Biden? That debate underscored growing concerns among Democrats: Biden’s age and cognitive health were becoming difficult to ignore, despite continued reassurances from Harris, administration officials, and congressional Democrats.
Biden’s refusal to step aside, despite his 2020 commitment to serve as a "bridge" president, combined with his party’s hesitation to confront his Trump-like stubbornness, jeopardized not just their hold on the White House but also their control of Congress and state governments. The prolonged delay in addressing these political and age-related realities left Democrats scrambling to find a suitable replacement ahead of their national convention.
