Watched the debate. People, even very democratty democrats, are being quite negative about Biden's performance, but with a single exceptional moment of trailing to nothing, he seemed mentally reasonable. He answered the questions presented with relevant and often specific information, and I think is not getting credit because he looks physically weak and slow. But I don't think that's a particularly fair way to judge a debate performance. And judged on substance (which wasn't exceptional for either), it felt like an even contest to me.
Real winners are genuinely CNN though. They felt impartial and professional, and if I can quell my cynicism for a moment, I hope they might take this as a starting point to reestablishing some of their lost credibility from the last decade or so.
On my way to work, german radio summed it up as:
Biden started the debate seemingly staring into nothingness, was pretty unresponsive and slow. Got later more into it, nearly saving it.
Trump was uncharacteristically focused and had no problems.
Verdict: It could be understood if democrats might start panicking.
Also: Is it that hard to find someone in your party who is quick, charismatic, experienced, but not worn out... maybe even (gasp) funny, a bit sardonic (Appealing to the youth?) Why does it always have to be so much politics in... politics?
Funnily enough: The party i voted for in European Election a few weeks back had on their number 2 slot a 21-year old student. (Also maybe not ideal... no matter if that guy was a genius or wunderkind or something... Just sends a message) (Ah well, since they got... under 0.2% of votes, way less than the "protect animals-party". (I am not bitter, hehe) it didn't matter.