US President Joe Biden Raleigh, NC Campaign Event

RALEIGH, NC June 28, 2024: The feeling of uncertainty in the air I arrived at my hotel after driving 5 hours from DC to Raleigh to cover President Joe Biden's campaign rally the day after his debate with Former President Donald Trump. The debate intro music was playing as I walk to the tv near the lobby bar. "This should be an easy one," said the bartender as she delivered chicken tenders to a couple. Right from the beginning everyone watching in the lobby were in the state of shock. Shock that US President Joe Biden was not doing good in the debate. The next day I arrived at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds and could immediately feel the tension in the large space. I made my way to the center riser and started observing the room. People chatted quietly among each other trying to understand what happened the night before. Some gave interviews saying "It was one bad night" while others said "It's too late to do anything." Performers E40 and Fat Joe took the stage bringing out some cheer and excitement but the overall quiet anxious remained once they left the stage. Dr. Jill Biden and President Joe Biden finally took the stage but even with uplifting remarks you could still feel some of the unease in the room. As Joe delivered his speech I spotted this woman and her daughter at the front of the stage listening to his remarks. As if looking for reassurance that everything would be okay. 26 Days later US President Joe Biden dropped out of the race endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for President. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)