Biden's debate performance 'gravely jeopardized' Dems' prospects to defeat Trump: expert

President Joe Biden's raspy — and to many, "concerning" debate performance left many Democrats fearing the worst for the 2024 presidential election — and at least one prominent election expert agreed with them.

Dave Wasserman, senior editor and elections analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, did little to assuage Democrats' despair.

"This debate making abundantly clear that Biden’s insistence on running for another term - when 66% of voters in our swing state poll believe it’s likely he won’t be able to finish a second term - has gravely jeopardized Dems’ prospects to defeat Trump," he wrote on X.

Nicholas Kristof, an author and prominent New York Times columnist, implored Biden to drop out of the race.

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"I wish Biden would reflect on this debate performance and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, throwing the choice of Democratic nominee to the convention," he tweeted.

Kristof floated recognizable names such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, as well as Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo — all of whom, he said, "could still jump in and beat Trump."

Amy Walter, publisher & editor-in-chief at Cook Political Report, slammed Biden's performance as well.

"Remember, the whole reason Biden wanted this debate was to show a contrast with Trump and to make this a referendum on Trump. Instead, only thing we’re talking about is Biden’s poor performance," she said.