- Bolaji Akinyemi criticized Joe Biden’s debate performance, noting that his speech impediment made him appear lost and that he favoured Trump
- Akinyemi warned changing the Democratic candidate could harm their chances, creating undue sympathy for Biden and favouring Trump
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bolaji Akinyemi expressed his belief that President Joe Biden lost the recent United States presidential debate, stating he feels sorry for Biden. Akinyemi shared his thoughts during an interview with Arise Television on Friday.
Akinyemi lamented the unfortunate choice between Biden and former President Donald Trump. He criticized Trump for his cynical demeanour, stating, “Shakespeare advised against judging a man’s heart by his face, but in Trump’s case, it was possible.”
Akinyemi acknowledged Biden’s speech impediment, which affects his delivery, and noted that while Biden looked lost during the debate, it resulted from his training to overcome stuttering. “The optics of Joe Biden’s looks were terrible,” he admitted.
Akinyemi felt Biden could have better challenged Trump, who avoided questions and shifted focus to illegal immigration. He criticized Biden for not addressing Trump’s relationships with dictators like Putin, the Chinese, and the North Koreans.
“I agree with the public that Biden lost that debate,” Akinyemi stated. He also addressed criticisms of Vice President Kamala Harris, noting that her performance depends on the tasks assigned by Biden. “If she does a lousy job, it’s because she has been given a lousy assignment,” he said.
Akinyemi found it unfair that polls favoured Trump with 66% over Biden’s 34%, given Biden’s speech challenges. He warned against changing the Democratic candidate, which could damage their chances and generate sympathy for Biden.
“A third candidate will simply throw the election to Trump,” he warned. Comparing Biden’s situation to Nixon in 1960, Akinyemi said, “I don’t think Biden can overlook the look of old age and the look of being lost.”
Akinyemi acknowledged Biden’s achievements, such as salary increases in the US, but noted issues like the Middle East could impact his election chances. He criticized Biden’s defensive stance on race issues, saying Trump should have been the one on trial.
Akinyemi cautioned Democrats against replacing Biden at the convention, fearing it would create undue sympathy for Biden. “I don’t want the Democrats to commit suicide; changing Biden may get the old man a lot of sympathies that you don’t treat old people who have done you a favour this way,” he concluded.