President Joe Biden said his dismissal performance at the presidential debate was due to one thing — jet lag.
Biden spoke about the June 27 debate in Atlanta at a campaign fundraiser in McLean, Virginia, Tuesday, ABC News reported.
That’s when he talked about his foreign travel in June, per reporters’ notes from those present.
“I decided to travel around the world a couple of times,” Biden said. “I didn’t listen to my staff.”
Biden added he “came back and nearly fell asleep on stage.”
In early June, Biden went to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He ten attended the G7 meeting in Italy June 12. Then, on June 15, he was in Los Angeles for a fundraiser. He was in Washington June 16 for 11 days to prep for the debate, per Politico.
Biden said this “not an excuse but an explanation” for his debate issues.
Biden quickly turned to the matter at hand by saying winning the election was “critical,” ABC News reported.
He said the DNC and Biden campaign have raised millions of dollars since debate night.
“I feel good about it,” he said.
ABC News reported $33 million has been for the cause.
The Democratic Party has been scrambling to pick up the pieces left after the debate.
His performance raised more concerns about his age and mental acuity and left people questioning whether he was able to be president for a second term.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the issue on Tuesday by saying Biden is “not a young man” and “he’s a little slower than he used to be,” Politico reported.
Jean-Pierre and others have called what happened Thursday a “bad night.” Some aides said president’s hoarse voice and frequent coughing was due to a cold.
The New York Times reported Biden was “drained” by all the traveling he did in June which affected how he prepared for the debate.
“Mr. Biden was drained enough from the back-to-back trips to Europe that his team cut his planned debate preparation by two days so he could rest at his house in Rehoboth Beach, Del., before joining advisers at Camp David for rehearsals,” the NYT reported. “The preparations, which took place over six days, never started before 11 a.m. and Mr. Biden was given time for an afternoon nap each day, according to a person familiar with the process.”
