The Dems already knew the Biden Titanic was going down, and everybody was scripted to say he has to go. If they believed that Biden would win, they would never agree to debate. They could keep up the facade indefinitely. But somebody decided Joe had to go, and they did this to him. The reason it was scripted is that nobody ever quivered on the subject. Nobody ever was in doubt one way or the other. The talking points were sent and people followed the script to the letter. The Dems are great at marching orders... the unity is impressive.
In fact the Democratic leadership is divided.
Read all the articles today and you will see it.
Just because they are evil does not make them united.
It may be that some Democratic insiders planned this—but imho they did not have the full consent of all party bosses.
It was stunning that so many of the Democrat commentators on cable TV news channels all said Joe has got to go. A few mentioned their cell phones vibrating during the debate with party insiders allegedly saying OMG Joe is finished