HARRISBURG, Pa. — Reactions from public officials across central Pennsylvania are pouring in following the first presidential debate of 2024.
Social media was on fire during and after the debate, with both sides criticizing the performances of the candidates. Elected politicians and candidates throughout Pa. also took to social media to voice their thoughts on the candidates.
On X (formally known as Twitter), U.S. Senator John Fetterman wrote that people needed to "Chill the f--- out," and that he would not join the "Democratic vultures on Biden's shoulder" following the debate.
"No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record," Fetterman wrote, seemingly referring to his debate performance against Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz. The then-Democratic candidate appeared for the debate just five months after a stroke.
Scott Perry (R), who is currently running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District, expressed his support for former president Donald Trump after the debate.
On his campaign re-election website, he wrote:
"Last night, the American People saw firsthand the clear choice this November: an America that's based on lifting up communities ravaged by record inflation, strengthening our standing in a World that's on fire, and renewing the values that make us the greatest Nation in the history of the World - OR - an America that's unaffordable, an American Dream that's unattainable, and an America that's enfeebled. The choice is clear: Donald J. Trump for President."
Dave McCormick (R) also took to social media to express his unhappiness with Biden's debate performance. The Republican challenger, who is running to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, called on invoking the 25th Amendment against Joe Biden.
"As an American, put aside politics for a second, we should be worried. Our Founders, our forefathers had some vision on this. They had something called the 25th Amendment," McCormick said on KDKA Radio following the debate. "If the people around the President think he is not capable of fulfilling his responsibilities in a time of war…then they have a responsibility to acknowledge that and possibly replace the President."
He also wrote on Facebook that he is "concerned" that the Commander-in-Chief "isn't capable of looking out for the safety of troops."
"We have the 25th Amendment for a reason," he wrote. "And Biden's Cabinet should consider invoking it."
Governor Josh Shapiro (D) had a differing stance. During separate interviews on MSNBC and CNN, he said that Democrats should "stop worrying" and "start working" following headlines that the party was in a panic watching Biden's debate performance.
"Here's the bottom line. Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but Donald Trump was a bad president," Shapiro told CNN.
The Pennsylvania governor blasted Trump during the CNN interview, saying that it isn't easy debating a "pathological liar."
Both candidates took to their social media platforms following the debate. On Truth Social, Donald Trump's campaign team repeatedly highlighted Biden's stuttering.
Joe Biden also spoke out about his debate performances, writing on X "Folks, I might not walk as easily or talk as smoothly as I used to. I might not debate as well as I used to. But what I do know is how to tell the truth."
The next presidential debate will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.