Biden to Limit Evening Work for Better Sleep After Debate Criticism

In a recent conference call with Democratic governors, President Joe Biden unveiled his new strategy to improve his sleep quality by avoiding work-related engagements after 8 p.m. This decision follows the criticism of his performance during last week’s debate, though Biden stopped short of suggesting that his ability to serve as president is compromised.

The New York Times reported that Biden emphasized his need for better rest and less evening work, as conveyed by sources who were either present at or briefed on the meeting. During the call, Biden—who has resisted calls to withdraw from the presidential race—addressed concerns about his health with a lighthearted comment. When Hawaii Governor Josh Green, a physician, questioned him about his health, Biden jokingly attributed his performance to “just my brain.” Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chair, confirmed this was a joke, in response to questions from The Times.

Biden has made efforts to downplay the impact of his debate performance, which took place during a 90-minute CNN special that began at 9 p.m. last Thursday. Speaking to donors on Tuesday, he humorously recounted that he “almost fell asleep” during the debate. Biden attributed his hoarse voice to a sore throat and pointed to his hectic travel schedule as factors contributing to his underwhelming performance. His preparation for the debate involved spending six days at Camp David after making two trips to Europe and a stop in California in the three weeks leading up to the event.

During his first interview after the debate, which aired on Thursday morning, Biden addressed concerns about his performance. In a conversation with Andrea Lawful-Sanders, host of Philadelphia-based WURD Radio, Biden downplayed the significance of his debate performance, asserting, “No,” when asked if Americans should be worried. He added that while the debate was a setback, it does not overshadow his achievements over the past three and a half years.

The governor’s call also touched on Biden’s recent extensive travel schedule. He mentioned his trips to Europe and California, which were followed by his preparation at Camp David. The Times reported that some governors were uneasy about the lack of discussion regarding the possibility of Biden stepping down from the race.

In a separate interview with Wisconsin radio host Earl Ingram, Biden admitted his debate performance was flawed, saying, “I screwed up. I made a mistake.” He reflected on his father’s advice to persist despite setbacks and expressed his determination to win the election.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates contradicted an earlier statement by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, revealing that Biden had indeed seen a doctor several days after the debate. Bates indicated that Biden was recovering well from a cold, which was a departure from Jean-Pierre’s previous assertion that Biden had not undergone a medical exam since February. This clarification came after Politico reported that Biden had mentioned seeing a doctor post-debate during his call with governors.

The call with governors was set against a backdrop of increasing public pressure for Biden to reassure both the Democratic Party and the public regarding his suitability for the presidency. Calls for Biden to withdraw from the race have been voiced by some Democratic leaders, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, as well as members of Congress. Despite these pressures, Biden remains steadfast in his resolve, reportedly telling his staff that he is committed to continuing his campaign through to the end. He has privately acknowledged that the upcoming holiday weekend is a critical moment for evaluating his campaign’s viability, and may consider stepping aside if he does not swiftly recover from the debate’s fallout.

Looking ahead, Biden is scheduled to give his first extensive televised interview since the debate on Friday evening. This interview, set to air at 8 p.m. ET, will be conducted by ABC News, marking a significant opportunity for Biden to address the public and address lingering concerns about his performance and health.