Biden's disastrous debate performance, where he struggled to articulate coherent sentences and appeared visibly frail, led to widespread panic within the Democratic Party. This, combined with his declining health and cognitive abilities, forced him to withdraw from the race to focus on his duties as president.
Biden's debate performance was widely criticized as one of the worst in American political history. He coughed repeatedly, struggled to maintain a train of thought, and delivered rambling answers. Many commentators described it as the political death of Joe Biden, with some even suggesting it was elder abuse to allow him to continue.
The Democratic Party was thrown into chaos following Biden's debate performance. Party strategists, elected officials, and fundraisers discussed whether to ask Biden to step aside. Some advocated for an open convention, while others pushed for Kamala Harris to take over as the nominee. The panic was evident across mainstream media, with outlets like CNN and MSNBC reporting on the potential need for Biden to withdraw.
After Biden withdrew, Kamala Harris was endorsed by him as the Democratic nominee. However, there was internal debate within the party about whether she was the strongest candidate to face Trump. Some argued for an open convention to allow other candidates to challenge her, but ultimately, she became the presumptive nominee due to her position as vice president and establishment support.
The 2024 campaign was marked by several key moments, including Biden's disastrous debate performance, his subsequent withdrawal, and the chaotic 100-day campaign that followed. The campaign also saw the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, which became a significant political event. Additionally, the election was shaped by the ongoing conflict in Israel and the rise of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses.
The attempted assassination of Trump, which left him with visible injuries, became a major political event. It shifted the narrative in the final weeks of the campaign, with some suggesting it saved Biden's political future by distracting from calls for his withdrawal. The incident also highlighted failures within the Secret Service and raised questions about the security of political rallies.
The 2024 election was heavily influenced by foreign policy, particularly the ongoing conflict in Israel following the October 7th attacks. The war in Gaza, the role of the IDF, and the use of American military aid became central issues. Additionally, tensions between Israel and Iran escalated, with Iran launching retaliatory airstrikes on Israel, drawing the U.S. into the conflict.
Cultural figures, including Joe Rogan and Bill Burr, weighed in on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Rogan criticizing the use of drone strikes on unarmed civilians and calling it a form of robotic mass genocide. Bill Burr, during an appearance on Bill Maher's show, argued that the solution to the conflict was for Palestinians to stop attacking Israel. These comments reflected a growing divide in public opinion on the issue.
Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, marking a significant shift in American politics. Trump gained ground in all 50 states, with major gains among Latino men, Gen X men, and other demographic groups. The election was seen as a national movement repudiation of the Democratic Party and its policies.
Kamala Harris's campaign faced significant financial controversies, including spending millions on celebrity endorsements, such as paying Oprah Winfrey $1 million. The campaign also reportedly spent $500,000 on a set for the Call Her Daddy podcast, despite not generating significant views. Despite raising over $1 billion, the campaign ended with $20 million in debt, raising questions about its financial management.
Krystal and Saagar look back on some of the big moments in 2024. To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: )www.breakingpoints.com) Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/)
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