Biden opens debate with raspy voice, several verbal missteps in attempts to criticize Trump [Video]

President Joe Biden made several verbal missteps Thursday in the opening minutes of his debate with his Republican rival, Donald Trump, as both took the stage seeking to define their presidential rematch.Related video above: Security measures in effect for CNN Presidential debate in AtlantaBiden had a raspy voice, struggling repeatedly to clear his throat, and had a halting delivery as he tried to defend his economic record and criticize Trump. Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while giving one answer, drifting from an answer on tax policy to health policy, at one point using the word “COVID,” and then saying, “excuse me, with, dealing with,” and he trailed off again.Sources familiar with his debate preparations say Biden has been battling a cold in recent days, causing his voice to sound hoarse and raspy during the debate, even more so than usual. “Look, we finally beat Medicare,” Biden said, …