So, the first circus is over. And one thing is clear: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) won the second debate, showing that former Vice President Joe Biden has not cleared the field. So far, Biden is dominating the field with black voters, especially black women. No doubt Harris saw that and she aggressively attacked the VP over his glowing words about segregationist senators he’s worked with and his opposition to busing concerning education. This question had to have been on the docket for debate rehearsal. He must’ve known this was coming—and he flubbed it. This wasn’t just one whiff or two. The entire debate Biden seemed lost. He lacks energy. He didn’t make himself stand out. And for a man who is a titan in the Democratic Party and a former vice president, there should be cause for worry. After the debate, multiple journalists were getting texts that the Biden camp was in full-blown crisis mode after this debate. Of course, the spokesperson for the Biden campaign denied there was a panic, but if this is how things are going to go at the various debate sites, Biden is not going to be the nominee.





Former Obama adviser Van Jones gave a sobering analysis, saying it’s quite terrible for the Biden camp to be in a position defending his past remarks about busing. He noted that overall; it was not a good night for the frontrunner of the 2020 Democratic race and for the party as a whole.





Granted, Obama had a dismal first debate against Mitt Romney in 2012 but was able to bounce back in the next two and ultimately win re-election. But Obama had the political skill; Joe ran twice for president and lost. He’s only the frontrunner due to name recognition and past nostalgia. It’s also becoming clear that his brand is not fitted for the hyper-left wing trend of the Democratic Party. He has to retool and reexamine…everything. And he doesn’t look the least bit comfortable up there.

A source close to the Biden campaign tells me his staff is “freaking out” about his poor performance tonight. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 28, 2019

The source said that internally, field staff says the campaign-organized debate watch parties in early voting states have been “awkward” and that Biden isn’t playing well to those who attended. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 28, 2019

According to Biden’s staff, he isn’t listening to his debate prep and he’s “set in his ways,” the source close to the campaign tells me. — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 28, 2019

The Biden of the Veep debates, the 2016 Democratic convention — he did not show up tonight. — Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore) June 28, 2019

Source close to Biden’s team texts: “Not going well for Joe...the team is not handling it well right now.” — Jackie Alemany (@JaxAlemany) June 28, 2019

remarkable. He voted for it! https://t.co/lWUqGzYKG0 — Sam Stein (@samstein) June 28, 2019

This is Biden's answer on his vote to go to war in Iraq? He had to know this was coming. — Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) June 28, 2019

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Biden spokesperson says that Biden campaign staff is not “freaking out,” as a source close to the Biden campaign said: https://t.co/gDUVaM6Ybc — Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 28, 2019

If they aren't freaking out, then they are really screwed — Bryan Murphy (@BryanSMurphy) June 28, 2019