Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated it is "legitimate" to question President Joe Biden's condition following his recent debate performance. Pelosi's comments come amidst growing concerns among Democrats about Biden's ability to effectively campaign and potentially win against former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

Pelosi, a prominent figure in the Democratic party, made these remarks during a televised interview, acknowledging that it is fair for voters to ask whether Biden's poor performance at the debate was a one-time occurrence or indicative of a more serious condition. This statement from Pelosi reflects a growing unease within the party regarding Biden's age and fitness for office, especially after a CNN poll showed Trump leading Biden by six points in a hypothetical matchup.

Pelosi's comments were echoed by other high-profile Democrats, including House Rep. Jim Clyburn, who also stated that it is fair to raise concerns about Biden's fitness. However, both Pelosi and Clyburn emphasized that these concerns should also be applied to Trump, who is just three years younger than Biden.

The debate performance and subsequent comments have sparked a wave of anxiety among Democrats, with some members calling for Biden to step down from the race. Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett became the first sitting House Democrat to publicly call on Biden to withdraw, citing concerns about Biden's ability to defeat Trump and protect the country's democracy.

Despite these calls, the Biden campaign has remained steadfast, with a spokesperson stating that the president is "staying in" the race. Biden himself has acknowledged that he has gotten older and does not debate as well as he used to. However, he has not indicated any intention to withdraw from the race.

The situation highlights a significant challenge for the Democratic party as it navigates the complexities of an election cycle with an incumbent president facing questions about his ability to lead effectively.