The Debate Phenomenon: Public Perception and Voter Expectations of Biden
Recent polls from the July 2024 Bloomberg News/Morning Consult tracking poll have shown that 13% of swing state voters believe President Biden’s June 27th debate performance exceeded their expectations.
Is It Sarcasm?
Many are querying whether this assessment of Biden's performance is truly reflective of genuine satisfaction, or if it stems from a deeper sense of cynicism towards the President. It's noteworthy that Biden's job performance rating has consistently been lower than that of Trump since early in his presidency. Critics argue that he has not represented the will of the majority on critical issues, such as student loans, immigration, and the economy. His disregard for the Supreme Court's rulings on student loans has particularly drawn criticism.
Misleading Perception
The Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll indicates a disconnect — 13% of Americans seemingly have no expectations of Biden performing anything correctly. The fact that he even appeared to stumble and falter during the debate was deemed more than acceptable to a significant portion of the electorate. This raises questions about the public's perception and expectations of political figures, particularly those nearing the latter stages of their careers.
The Mister Magoo Theory
Some observers have noted that many people, after reading transcripts of the debate, felt that Biden performed better than what was reported by the media. Despite a hoarse voice from a cold and visibly affected appearance, his words were clear and lucid in the written transcript. This phenomenon is often attributed to an aversion to aging, as many Americans fear growing older and may misjudge a candidate's performance based on their physical appearance.
Public Expectations and Skepticism
The media's reaction to Biden's debate performance reveals a deeper skepticism about his capabilities. Many critics wonder if those who believe Biden exceeded expectations (13%) didn't actually watch the debate, but rather read the transcripts. The transcripts, as they portray Biden in a positive light, may have given voters a skewed view of the event. A poor performance, by conventional standards, could still exceed expectations if it represented an improvement from prior assessments of his incapacitation.
The Media's Role and Trump's Legacy
The debate's aftermath has also sparked discussions about the media's role in perpetuating certain narratives. The media's hesitance to support a potential challenger like Gavin Newsom could be driven by a desire to maintain the status quo, or alternatively, by a belief in maintaining Trumpism through a symbolic figure like Newsom, who some see as more palatable but still embodying aspects of Trumpism.
Conclusion
Public perception and expectations of political figures such as Biden are complex and often influenced by a combination of media portrayals and personal assessments. The debate and its aftermath highlight the challenges faced by candidates nearing the end of their political careers in sustaining public trust and meeting the expectations of their constituents.