Biden’s candidacy in doubt after weak, frozen debate performance against Trump leaves Dems in ‘aggressive panic’

President Biden repeatedly froze and misspoke during his first — and possibly only — debate against former President Donald Trump Thursday night, prompting anguish and alarm in the Democratic Party fewer than four months before the general election.

In what will be the most-replayed political moment of the night, the week, the month, and maybe the year, the 81-year-old incumbent lost his train of thought for about nine seconds, looking down at his lectern before popping up again to say that he “finally beat Medicare.”

Biden, who would be 86 if he finishes a second term in January 2029, did not help his cause by speaking in a soft, scratchy voice that anonymous aides attributed to a cold he apparently picked up during his seven days out of the public eye prepping for the Atlanta forum.