Sunday shows preview: Shadow of debate struggle hangs over Biden

The rising concerns over President Biden’s poor debate performance is likely to be a focus of this week’s Sunday news shows.

Biden stumbled over his words and had a raspy voice, sparked widespread fears on both sides of the aisle and raised questions about whether he should stay at the top of the Democratic ticket. Even staunch Democratic figures expressed their worries about how the debate between the incumbent and former President Trump went — including those who worked alongside Biden when he was vice president.

“Obviously that debate was a f‑‑‑ing disaster,” former Obama administration speechwriter and “Pod Save America” co-host Jon Favreau posted Friday morning on the social platform X. “We have to beat Donald Trump. We have to have a nominee who can do that.”

Despite some in the president’s party raising the question of if he should stay as the presidential nominee, those around him have pushed back on the idea.

Following the debate, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), urged fellow party members to “chill the f— out” after reports of anxieties among Democrats.

“I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden’s shoulder after the debate. No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record,” Fetterman, who will appear on “Fox News Sunday” this week, said in a post on the social platform X.

Fetterman also sharply responded to The New York Times’ editorial board requesting Biden halt his campaign in another post on X, writing “F— that.”

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), also pushed back against talk about Biden leaving the race, saying the president should “stay the course,” and critics should “chill out.” Clyburn will appear on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

However, Clyburn also told USA Today that he would support Vice President Harris as the Democratic nominee if the president “ain’t there.”

“I’m a Biden-Harris person, so I’m not getting away from that. I’m for Biden-Harris,” he South Carolina Democrat said. “I’m going to be for Biden if Harris ain’t there and I’m going to be for Harris if Biden ain’t there.”

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley, who will appear on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” this week, said in a post on X following the debate that his party’s nominee “understands how to solve the problems plaguing the American people.

“Biden couldn’t even understand the questions,” Whatley’s post continued.

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” — Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.); Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley.

ABC’s “This Week” — Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.); Steve Bannon, former Trump adviser; Dr. Anthony Fauci, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” —  Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.); Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio); Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.).

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Reps. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

“Fox News Sunday” — Vance; Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.); Rep. Michael McCaul, (R-Texas).

Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” — Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump; conservative author Peter Schweizer.