GOP politicians who have been mentioned as possible candidates former President Trump might pick as his running mate offered their comments during and after Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden on Thursday night, focusing on Biden’s failing capacity to communicate and what that indicated about the danger of him being reelected.

Florida GOP Sen. Marco Rubio told CBS News, “The president tonight, President Biden, looked ways that I think are concerning not just for Democrats but for America because our adversaries are seeing this broadcast too. And may conclude that they can take advantage of whatever they conclude from it. That’s concerning, and that’s something that will be relevant to a lot of people watching this from a political angle. But at the core is just that choice; there’s no question from the economy to public safety to our standing in the world, our country was stronger and better off when Trump was president.”

“We saw tonight what we’ve been seeing now for a number of years and it’s only gotten progressively worse,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity. “They’re going to watch this debate today in Beijing and in Moscow and Tehran and you worry that adversaries will see that and conclude from it, ‘They’ve got a weak president in that White House.’”

Arkansas GOP Sen. Tom Cotton commented on X, “After only 13 minutes, this debate has made clear: a vote for Biden is a vote to make Kamala Harris president. Let’s be clear: Joe Biden has been a disgrace to our military and our veterans. He’s treated them with contempt. It’s deeply alarming that Joe Biden needs to be secluded for seven days so he can speak coherently for 90 minutes. Remember, this performance is Biden at his absolute best after seven days of secluded rest and prep.”

After only 13 minutes, this debate has made clear: a vote for Biden is a vote to make Kamala Harris president.

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) June 28, 2024

Let's be clear: Joe Biden has been a disgrace to our military and our veterans.

He's treated them with contempt.

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) June 28, 2024

It's deeply alarming that Joe Biden needs to be secluded for seven days so he can speak coherently for 90 minutes.

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) June 27, 2024

Remember, this performance is Biden at his absolute best after seven days of secluded rest and prep.

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) June 28, 2024

Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance told NBC News, “Incredible contrast between the meandering, low-energy approach of Joe Biden and the high-energy command of the facts approach of Donald Trump.”

Vance mentioned Biden seemingly linking illegal immigration to the success of America’s economy,

Joe Biden bragging about the fact that his economy has been good for illegal aliens instead of American citizens. https://t.co/ss8nI2to1q

— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) June 28, 2024

North Dakota GOP Governor Doug Burgum told NBC News, “I think that President Trump showed what he shows a lot of people, which is whether he’s in small groups or whether he’s at a fundraiser, right now he’s in a great spot. He’s calm, he’s strong, he’s confident. I mean, he’s not the guy that was running in 2016. He knows what it’s like to be president.”

South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott seemingly made a pointed reference to Biden’s chances against Trump:

pic.twitter.com/MVSKTGBMxf

— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) June 28, 2024

He added, “Three things are clear: 1. America was and is better under a Trump Administration. 2. Biden is unfit to be in office and the people in his orbit should be ashamed of propping him up. 3. Trump dominated. There can’t possibly be a second debate.”

Three things are clear:

1. America was and is better under a Trump Administration.

2. Biden is unfit to be in office and the people in his orbit should be ashamed of propping him up.

3. Trump dominated. There can’t possibly be a second debate.

— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) June 28, 2024