Debate: Biden had a bad night.

By the end of the 90-plus minutes, some Democrats were saying what partisans say to put the best face on things: It’s still early. One debate doesn’t necessarily sway the nation. Judge him by what he’s done and wants to do, not by how he says things.

Calls for Biden to step aside grow after shaky debate performance against Trump.

President Biden's faltering performance in a recent debate with former President Donald J. Trump has left Democratic strategists reeling and questioning his fitness to stay in the race. The debate, which covered topics such as inflation, taxes, Ukraine, and the future of democracy, saw Biden struggling to deliver a convincing message, while Trump appeared steady and composed.

Democrats were deeply concerned about Biden's prospects following the debate, which was overshadowed by personal attacks and off-topic sparring between the candidates. Discussions on policy were often sidelined by arguments over their cognitive abilities, legal issues, and even their golf skills.

The reaction from both sides was swift and pointed. On cable news and social media, strategists questioned Biden's ability to continue in the race against Trump. Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s former White House communications director, expressed her disappointment on CNN, stating that Biden failed to prove he had the necessary energy and stamina.

Republican strategist Matt Gorman highlighted Biden's missed opportunities on key issues like abortion and the January 6th Capitol riot. Andrew Yang, a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020, noted a decline in Biden's performance since their debates in 2020, using the hashtag #swapJoeout on social media.

Henrietta Treyz, managing partner and director of economic policy research at Veda Partners, criticized Biden's inability to counteract Trump's factually incorrect points effectively. Meanwhile, Democratic strategist Caitlin Legacki saw a silver lining, predicting that Trump's problematic sound bites would be used extensively in ads targeting female voters.

The debate has sparked discussions among Democrats about the possibility of a contested convention, with some even considering the unlikely scenario of replacing Biden as the party's nominee. MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace and Joy Reid discussed the circulating rules on how a candidate could release their delegates, highlighting the growing panic within the party.

David Plouffe, a Democratic strategist and former Obama campaign official, described the debate as a "Defcon 1 moment" for the party. He emphasized that voters' concerns about Biden’s age were compounded by his performance, making it a critical issue for both swing and base voters.

The debate has left the Democratic Party scrambling to reaffirm Biden's ability to lead the nation, with many questioning whether serious conversations about alternative options are necessary.