Every presidential election cycle in the US brings unique challenges that can influence the race. These dramatic events are often referred to as “October Surprises,” a term coined in 1980 by William Casey during Ronald Reagan’s campaign. However, this year’s surprise came early, in June, causing significant turbulence for President Joe Biden.
On June 27, Biden participated in a debate with his opponent, Donald Trump. Viewers, including myself, were surprised by Biden’s performance. He seemed unfocused, stumbled over his words, and left sentences incomplete. In contrast, Trump appeared energetic and determined, creating a stark contrast that was difficult to ignore.
The debate’s aftermath saw a storm of criticism within the Democratic Party. Many leaders and analysts suggested that Biden step down, citing concerns about his cognitive abilities. The president remained silent initially, allowing speculation to grow. He later explained that his poor performance was due to a cold, sore throat, and jet lag from a recent G7 summit.
Despite the explanations, calls for Biden to withdraw from the race intensified, with critics arguing he couldn’t defeat Trump in the upcoming election. However, Biden quickly regained his composure and reaffirmed his capability to lead, highlighting his previous electoral victories in 2020 and 2022 despite similar doubts.
In terms of crisis management, Biden and his team have faced significant challenges. Effective crisis management requires a strong communication strategy. Professor Joe Zaldarriaga’s five C’s of crisis communications—care, commitment, competency, community, and continuity—are essential. However, the Biden campaign has focused more on defending against calls for his withdrawal rather than promoting his achievements and future vision.
During his first term, Biden accomplished significant legislative milestones, such as gun control and climate bills, record employment rates, economic recovery, and improvements in infrastructure and veterans’ benefits. Surprisingly, these achievements were not prominently featured in the debate or the campaign’s messaging.
However, Biden’s team has shown transparency and honesty in addressing the situation. The president’s candid admission of his physical limitations and his promise to be truthful resonated with many. His communication team has maintained professionalism, avoiding the aggressive tactics seen in other political contexts, such as in Nigeria’s recent elections.
In the weeks following the debate, Biden has been actively engaging with the public, granting interviews, addressing rallies, and writing to party leaders to rally support. This week, he will host a NATO summit in Washington, providing an opportunity to highlight his foreign policy expertise.
Managing a crisis involves decisive action and strong stakeholder relationships. Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Barack Obama, have shown their support for Biden, emphasizing the importance of unity and a clear game plan.
Despite some missteps, Biden has managed the crisis reasonably well. His recent assertive statements about his determination to win the election have bolstered his supporters. The contrast with past election cycles, where candidates like Bola Tinubu avoided debates, underscores the value of facing scrutiny head-on.
