Is Biden sick? Joe’s scratchy voice at the start of the debate raises questions about his health

From the moment the historic debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump began, viewers immediately reacted to the sound of Biden’s croaking voice and his repeated throat clearing.

Biden’s behavior sparked concern even after the president spent a week at Camp David to rest and prepare for the debate.

“I have a bad feeling about the start of the debate,” Nicholas Kristof wrote on social media. “Trump talks nonsense on many topics but exudes energy; Biden is more matter-of-fact but his voice and manner feed into Trump’s narrative that he is too old for the job.”

Pollsters also took into account voters’ reaction to Biden’s voice on stage.

“My focus group of undecided voters is surprised and concerned about Biden’s vote,” wrote pollster Frank Luntz. “That doesn’t bode well for questions about his health.”

CNN journalist Kasie Hunt said the Democrats she spoke to were deeply dismayed by Biden’s performance.

“The voice, the open mouth and the visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump are leaving the Democrats I speak with almost beside themselves watching this debate,” she wrote.

Jacqui Heinrich, a White House reporter for Fox News, noted that the president’s voice sounded “thinner than usual” and that his performance was “impaired overall.”

It seems to me that President Biden stumbles the most when he resorts to arguments drummed into him by his advisers. When he gets angry and speaks spontaneously, it is cleaner.

Former CNN journalist Chris Cillizza also issued a warning.

“Biden looks old. He’s faltering. He’s just lost it. His voice is weak. Bad, bad, bad,” he wrote.

Journalist Yashar Ali said he has not heard optimistic assessments of Biden’s performance from Democrats, who normally defend him reflexively.

“I am having several large group text messages with Democratic activists, elected officials, staff and donors,” he wrote. “None of them are happy with Biden’s performance tonight in terms of his style, voice, etc.”

Already in the first commercial break of the debate, the Biden team seemed to be busy trying to limit the damage when an NBC reporter cited details about the president’s condition.

“Two sources familiar with the situation say, ‘President Biden has a cold,'” White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell wrote on social media.

Republicans and Trump aides immediately recognized Biden’s weakness in the debate.

“What’s wrong with Joe Biden’s vote?” Trump’s national press secretary Caroline Leavitt wrote. “Hasn’t he been hiding in the woods for a week???????”