Joe Biden admitted he 'almost fell asleep onstage' during last week's debate, causing some Democrats to call for his withdrawal and sparking speculation about his ability to continue in the presidential race.

Biden’s candid acknowledgment of nearly dozing off during a nationally televised debate has thrown fuel on the fire of already smoldering concerns about his stamina and suitability for another grueling campaign. Democrats are now split, with some advocating for his withdrawal and others downplaying the incident as a one-off. An internal party tussle has commenced, highlighting the delicate balance between loyalty and political calculus.

Joe Biden explained his lackluster debate performance by pointing to the exhaustive travel he undertook in the weeks leading up to the event. 'I was on the road non-stop,' he said, implying that the relentless campaign schedule took a toll. Yet, even with this explanation, it remains unclear whether Biden was entirely serious or exercising a bit of his notorious dry wit when he confessed to almost falling asleep on stage.

Adding another layer to the narrative, Biden's aides suggested that a cold might have hampered his performance, further muddling the waters with competing rationales. Between jet lag and sniffles, Biden's onstage lethargy was swiftly seized upon by both critics and the concerned factions within his own party.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, became the first sitting Democrat in Congress to publicly urge Biden to withdraw from the race. Doggett's call for withdrawal reflects growing unease within some quarters of the party about Biden’s viability moving forward. 'We need a candidate who is at the top of his game,' said Doggett, capturing a sentiment that appears to be gaining traction. After all, the 'game' might no longer be a young man's sport.

Nancy Pelosi weighed in on the matter, framing the debate snafu as a 'legitimate question.' Pelosi pondered whether Biden's poor showing was merely an off night or indicative of a broader issue. Her comments echoed the concerns of many Democrats who are grappling with the implications of the former Vice President's performance. After all, it's not every day you see Biden looking like he needed an extra cup of coffee (or three).

Reflecting the party's internal strife, a recent poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos revealed that one in three Democrats believes Biden should end his re-election campaign following the debate. The poll underscores the extent to which Biden's performance has shaken confidence in his candidacy, with detractors questioning his capacity to handle another high-stakes contest. It seems Biden's rough night on stage has some folks wondering if he might need more than just a good night's sleep to bounce back.

Despite the swirling doubts and the increasing calls for his departure, Biden remained resolute in his determination to stay in the race. 'I’m not quitting,' he stated categorically, perhaps channeling a different kind of fighting spirit: the will to soldier on, even through moments of perceived weakness.

Interestingly, the same Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that both Biden and Trump maintain the support of roughly 40% of registered voters. This suggests that the president's debate performance, while fueling intra-party drama for the Democrats, may not have substantially altered the broader electoral landscape. In the end, the numbers reveal that both candidates are very much in the race, snooze buttons notwithstanding.