Joe Biden hovers awkwardly behind Jill and wipes his eyes at North Carolina rally after refusing to step aside
FIRST Lady Jill Biden took full control of the start of President Joe Biden's first campaign stop less than 24 hours after his concerning performance during Thursday's presidential debate.
President Biden was hovered awkwardly behind his wife at the podium on Friday as she commanded the microphone and introduced guests during the commencement of his rally in Raleigh, .
"And Donald Trump told lie after lie after lie."
As President Biden took to the podium, he did so with an energy that was absent from the debate, even at one point acknowledging his poor performance.
In his opening remarks, he continued his attack against his predecessor, calling a treat to the nation.
"I don't know what you did last night, but I spent 90 minutes on stage debating a guy who has the morals of an alley cat," Biden told supporters.
"Donald Trump isn't just a convicted felon, Donald Trump is a one-man crime wave," he added as the crowd chanted, "Lock him up!"
"He's a threat to our freedom. He's a threat to our democracy," the president added.
"Is literally a threat to everything America stands for. The choice in this election is simple: Donald Trump will destroy democracy. I will defend it."
I know I'm not a young man. To state the obvious.
Joe Biden.
Thursday's presidential debate sent shockwaves of concerns throughout the as Biden's age and cognitive inabilities were glaring to the public.
Biden, 81, briefly addressed the uneasiness of his constituents as calls for him to end his reelection bid grew after Thursday's primetime performance.
Biden's frail appearance and his low tone of voice left many supporters and Democrats worried about the prospect of a second term.
But DNC leaders are coming out of the woodworks to express confidence for Biden and attack wavering national trust.
Hours after Biden's rally, former President Barack Obama said "bad debate nights happen" and defended his vice president.
However, the California governor doubled down on his support for the incumbent, affirming Biden's "our guy."
"Biden is confident. He's got a record, and he's got a vision for the future," Newsom, 56, told reporters after the debate.
"I would never turn my back on President Biden. I don't know a Democrat in my party that would do so.
"Many people are saying that after last night's performance that Joe Biden is leaving the race," Trump told supporters.
"It might've been Joe Biden's single best decision, putting her as vice president because nobody wants that.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"But they don't poll as well as this guy [Biden]. They polled everybody. Michelle Obama. She polls very badly, she polls terribly.
"It's hard to believe but crooked Joe Biden polls better than these people."