After "disastrous" debate performance, Biden rallies Raleigh

Hours after a debate performance that thrust the Democratic Party into "mass panic ," President Joe Biden landed in Raleigh .

Why it matters: His rally here Friday was the president's first opportunity for a show of strength at a moment when many are openly questioning his ability to lead the country.

What happened: Biden appeared coherent and energetic when speaking to a crowd at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Friday afternoon, addressing his debate performance and pledging that he's up for the job.

• "I know I'm not a young man, to state the obvious," he told the crowd.
• "I don't walk as easy as I used to. I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done.
• "And I know like millions of Americans know, when you get knocked down you get back up."
• He walked off the stage to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," Politico reports .

The intrigue: Gov. Roy Cooper spoke at the rally ahead of Biden in a show of support for the president.

• Cooper has been the focus of political chatter in North Carolina and beyond, as Democrats float possible presidential candidate alternatives to Biden.