Prez Biden concedes debate fumbles but declares he will defend democracy

President Joe Biden forcefully tried on Friday to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with former President Donald Trump, as elected members of his party closed ranks around him in an effort to shut down talk of replacing him atop the ticket.

Biden's halting delivery and meandering comments, particularly early in the debate, fuelled concerns from even members of his own party that at age 81 he's not up for the task of leading the country for another four years.

Even before the debate, Biden's age had been a liability with voters, and Thursday night's faceoff appeared to reinforce the public's deep-seated concerns before perhaps the largest audience he will garner before ballots are cast.

Biden appeared to acknowledge the criticism during a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, saying I don't debate as well as I used to." But he added, I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done. Speaking for 18 minutes, Biden repeatedly appeared far more ...