Over the past few months, as public concern grew about President Joe Biden's mental state, many Democrats have defended him, calling him “wise” and praising his cognitive abilities.

But after Biden's disastrous debate performance on Thursday, the party seems less eager to defend the president's intellectual vitality.

While Republicans have sounded the alarm about Biden's mental capacity, many Democrats have been eager to assure the public that Biden remains as sharp as ever. The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to several of those same lawmakers to ask if they still felt the same about Biden's mental capacity after he frequently stumbled, froze and lost his train of thought during the debate. (Related article: After 'disastrous' debate performance, Democrats panic and scramble to find Biden's successor)

Summary of the 1 Minute Discussion: pic.twitter.com/YCuBnZSw0U

— DC Shorts (@theDCshorts) June 28, 2024

in CNN Interview In a February 9 interview, New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman recalled his interactions with Biden after the October 7 mass shooting.

“I can safely say he was as astute as anyone I've ever spoken to on these incredibly complex and geopolitically urgent issues,” Goldman said.

Goldman did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF about whether he would continue to stand by his comments praising Biden's intellectual acuity.

Former House Speaker and California Democrat Rep. Nancy Pelosi Protected In response to the Wall Street Journal report, the president Articles introducing sources of criticism Biden's mental health has been under scrutiny since June 4. Pelosi called the WSJ article an “attack piece.” Post to X Starting from June 5th.

“Many of us [the WSJ] To document our direct experiences [Biden]”There you will find his wisdom, experience, strength and strategic thinking,” Pelosi said in the post.

After the debate, Pelosi avoided discussing Biden's eligibility, saying Trump had “presented another set of lies that must be rejected along with his candidacy.” Post to X Starting June 27th. (Related: Nancy Pelosi explodes after MSNBC host fact-checks Trump's economic policies)

Pelosi's office did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

Pelosi declined to comment on Biden's performance in this morning's debate, but said, “I saw honesty on the one hand and dishonesty on the other, compared to someone who has been lying all this time. ” Of Trump, she said, “He's a fool. He thinks I plotted his own assassination. He's sicker than I ever thought he would be.” pic.twitter.com/W0p1Acr6vN

— Alejandro Alvarez 🫡 (@aletweetsnews) June 28, 2024

Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also endorsed Biden, calling Biden's intellectual acuity “incredible” in an interview. The Hill February 13th.

“I speak with President Biden on a regular basis,” Schumer told The Hill, “usually several times a week. His mental capacity is excellent. He's in good spirits. He's as good as he's been in years. He's in good spirits. All of the right-wing propaganda that his mental capacity is declining is false.”

After the debate, Schumer said the choice was “four more years of progress, or four more years of attacks on our fundamental rights and democracy.” Post to X Starting June 27th.

Like Pelosi, he has not publicly commented on Biden's performance, and his office did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman told the DCNF on February 9 that Biden is “totally sane.”

“While many of your readers believe that Trump is fit to be president, I disagree,” Fetterman told DCNF, “and I know some of your readers feel that President Biden is not fit, but they're both older gentlemen who are running for office and have both made verbal gaffes throughout this time. [campaign].”

Fetterman, who suffered a stroke in May 2022, reportedly dismissed Biden's debate as a “rough debate.” Post to X Starting June 28th.

“I refuse to join the Democratic vultures who are riding Biden's shoulders after the debate,” Fetterman said in the post. “No one knows better than me that a tough debate is not the sum of a person and their record.”

Fetterman's office did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California also sided with Biden. “I've met with the president twice in the last two weeks,” Khanna said. The Washington Times February 11th.

“I've spoken to him. He's very mentally astute.”

When asked if he could vouch for the president, Khanna reportedly replied, “I can vouch for the policies.” The New York Times. (Related story: 'Total obstruction': Democratic Rep. Ro Khan slams party's response to Trump, says focus should be on 'core issues')

“We have a great team that's helping us govern,” Khanna told The New York Times on June 28. “I'm going to continue to advocate for that.”

Canna's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar has previously defended Biden's mental health, describing him as “focused” during his campaign comments. NBC News February 18th.

“I flew with the president on Air Force One from Washington, D.C., to Wisconsin for an infrastructure project,” Klobuchar told NBC. “I was with the president for over an hour and we spoke about a variety of domestic and international issues. The president was focused. He had a good memory. It was the same experience I had just a few weeks ago when my Democratic and Republican colleagues met with the president for hours on the Middle East.”

Klobuchar did not respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.

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