Former President Barack Obama urged voters to stick with President Joe Biden despite an uneven debate performance Thursday.
"Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know," Obama wrote Friday in a post on X. "But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn't change that, and it's why so much is at stake in November."
Biden's delivery in the first presidential debate between him and former President Donald Trump fueled concerns from members of his own party that, at age 81, he's not up for the task of leading the country for another four years.
University of Michigan Presidential Debate Expert Aaron Kall called Biden's performance "probably the worst performance of a candidate, certainly an incumbent candidate, ever."
Democrat lawmakers on Friday acknowledged Biden's poor showing but tried to stop talk of replacing him as their standard bearer, and instead tried to shift the focus onto Trump's attacks and falsehoods that they hoped would remind voters of the daily turbulence of his presidency.
Biden appeared to acknowledge the criticism during a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Friday
"I don't debate as well as I used to," he said. "But I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done."
Speaking for 18 minutes, Biden appeared far more animated than his showing the night before, and he excoriated Trump for his "lies" and campaign aimed at "revenge and retribution."
"The choice in this election is simple," Biden said. "Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it."
He added, alluding to his candidacy, "When you get knocked down, you get back up."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.