Jake Tapper Shuts Down Democratic Congressman’s Defense of Biden After Bad Debate: ‘With All Due Respect, Sir…’

TAPPER: “How concerned are you about President Biden’s standing right now? We have a new poll from CNN. Most voters — 75 percent, I think of voters — think Democrats have a better chance of keeping the White House if Biden is not the nominee. And we have a new poll suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris is actually a stronger challenge within the margin of error to Donald Trump than President Biden is. Are you concerned about President Biden’s acuity and his ability to win?”

Thompson: “Well, just like all of us who are committed to making sure that Donald Trump is not put back in the White House, we want the best foot forward. I would still lead with President Biden. He’s a good man. His policies have worked and we’ll see how it works out. If the new strategy, taking it to the people, doing various town hall-type meetings or interviews works out, then so be it. But I think at the end of the day, Democrats need to be united. If in fact we go forward and that message is positive, then we have, in fact, done what’s in the best interests of this country. But I think — I wouldn’t put everything on just one bad debate. I’ve been in elective office a good while. Some days are just not good days. That debate was not a good day. But it’s not the end of a campaign. It’s not the end of his reelection effort. But we have to do some things to reassure the public that it was not just a one-off, but it was just a bad day.”

TAPPER: “With all due respect, sir, it wasn’t just a bad debate. I mean, we’ve seen other incidents, and I’m not just talking about aging. We all age. My parents are in their 80s. I get it. It happens. If we’re lucky enough to make it to our 80s, it happens. It seems — it doesn’t seem like it’s just aging, don’t you think?”

Thompson: “Well, I don’t think that way. I’ve known him for quite awhile. As people mature, things happen. But if I look at the policies, if I look at what his administration stands for, it’s what keeps America great. He’s a great leader. He’s respected by people around the world, and that has value. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is not that. So, when I look at the two individuals running for president leading both tickets, I say Joe Biden is the person. He might have slowed down a little bit, but look, we all slow down. I am, Jake, fully committed that if the doctor’s OK, Joe Biden’s health, and I understand that’s part of the discussion, I’m prepared to go with it. I don’t want the campaign to slip into this issue around is he too old, is he’s slow. Look at his policy. Look at the good people around him and look at how his administration has done so much for this economy. We are in a better position than we’ve been in quite a while.”

TAPPER: “So —“

Thompson: “Again, I make no bones about the debate. It was not a good debate.”

TAPPER: “I want to move on to former president. I want to move on to former president —“