MS Democratic Party chair vows support for Biden despite poor debate performance

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Cheikh Taylor on Friday stood by Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for president after party officials around the nation were left reckoning with Biden’s shaky performance in the first presidential debate.

“Biden is tried and tested,” Taylor said during a recording of Mississippi Today’s “The Other Side” political podcast. “If we’re looking at the priorities he’s put forward, I don’t think most Democrats have heartburn about that.”

Taylor’s complete response to the debate, and thoughts on numerous other Mississippi political topics can be heard on “The Other Side,” which will air Monday morning. 

Biden, 81, faced off in a Thursday debate with former President Donald Trump, 78, moderated by CNN that covered topics including abortion, the economy and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Several times during the debate, Biden stumbled over his words, paused to correct phrases and sometimes trailed off, leaving an unclear end to sentences.  

Trump had far more energy than the incumbent president, but often spouted false information, such as continuing to repeat the debunked claim that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and was rife with voter fraud. 

Several national Democratic operatives and media pundits have said the president should step aside and allow a new candidate to take his place atop the presidential ticket. If that were to happen, it would create a historic scenario at the Democratic National Convention later this year that would give the party’s delegates power to select a new candidate. 

Taylor did say that if the first-term Democratic president does withdraw his nomination from consideration, then Vice President Kamala Harris should take his place as the head of the ticket. 

Mississippi public officials from both sides of the aisle reacted on social media to Thursday night’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Here are some responses:

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves: “If Joe Biden was in your family, you’d take his car keys and keep him safe in your home. But he’s our President, and he needs to rest comfortably somewhere other than the White House.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith: “What we saw tonight were two very different visions for America. Joe Biden was solely focused on division and backwards policies, while President Trump provided a platform for reversing record inflation, closing our Southern border, and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world. We need a leader who has a record of accomplishment and Making America Great! I couldn’t be more proud of how my friend, Donald J. Trump performed tonight. Vote RED November 5!”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson: “I wish Trump would answer the questions he is asked.”

Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Ty Pinkins: “President Biden demonstrated a clear commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of everyday Americans. It’s this dedication to working for all Americans that I support and look forward to building upon in the Senate.”

Republican state Auditor Shad White: “President Trump was on message and the obvious winner tonight. I honestly struggled to even understand what President Biden was saying most of the time.”

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson: “‘The idea!’ The idea that this man is President of the United States is a very scary idea for our country. The idea that he wants to continue another 4 years is even scarier. I cannot wait to attend the RNC in July and cast a vote for our candidate Donald J. Trump.”

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