The Democratic presidential debate wasn't even over yet on Thursday before former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign was denying a report that they're "freaking out" about his performance.
Biden took fire from numerous Democratic opponents during the second round of debates on Thursday, most notably from Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who in a pointed exchange challenged Biden's civil rights record and his "hurtful" comments about having worked with segregationists.
New York Magazine's Olivia Nuzzi subsequently reported that Biden's campaign is "freaking out," citing a source close to the campaign as saying debate watch parties have been playing poorly and bemoaning the fact that he didn't listen to debate prep because he's "set in his ways."
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Biden's deputy campaign manager and communications director, Kate Bedingfield, quickly responded to Nuzzi's reporting with a full denial, tweeting simply, "nope." And in a text to supporters, the Biden campaign wrote near the end of the debate, "Are you watching the debate? WOW! Joe has been on fire!" Brendan Morrow
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