Joe Biden partially relied on pre-written notes during his opening statement at the third Democratic presidential debate.
Opening and closing statements during such debates are crucial moments for candidates to show their ability to speak directly to the American people about their vision for the country. Many candidates spend time polishing and memorizing their statements, but during 76-year-old Biden’s opening in Houston on Thursday night, he appeared to glance at his notes several times.
Biden began by citing President John F. Kennedy, who said “we refuse to postpone” in reference to going to the moon. The former vice president said the quote stuck with him all his life.
“Well, I refuse to postpone one more minute spending billions of dollars on curing cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other diseases, which if we invest in them, we can find cures,” Biden said before glancing down at the podium.
He then glanced back down at his notes to mention funding education, then kept his head down while he read, “I refuse to postpone any longer taking on climate change.”
