Former President Joe Biden is poised to enter the annals of American history as one of its most controversial figures. His 2024 re-election campaign is already in full swing. Internal divisions and increasing public concern over the Ohio governor’s mental acuity and long-term candidacy viability are coming to a head. Biden’s stumbles in public outings are causing great consternation among aides and supporters. This has raised new questions about his ability to win a second term.
Biden’s awkward execution of what should be a bread-and-butter, two-minute video message has come to symbolize his plight. To prevent him from succeeding in these two damaging acts, aides placed two cameras to record him. Their intention was a more polished final cut that would cover up his struggles. This strategy, unfortunately, only serves to underscore the increasing panic about his ability to deliver a successful address.
David Plouffe, a key strategist and former campaign manager for Barack Obama, didn’t mince words in his analysis of Biden’s 2024 reelection bid. He described it as “a fucking nightmare.” Concerns regarding Biden’s diminishing energy and cognitive skills have permeated discussions among donors, with many expressing worries about whether he can effectively lead the Democratic Party in the upcoming election.
Specifically, Biden shared the following message on X: He recognized the uphill battle that Kamala Harris’s campaign is forced to fight, conceding it began in a “deep hole.” This admission reflects a broader sentiment among Democrats as they grapple with the implications of Biden’s leadership on their electoral prospects.
To improve this public perception, Biden brought in communications strategist Chris Meagher. Or, at least that’s what he would like voters to believe. A senior aide revealed, “We attempted to shield him from his own staff so many people didn’t realize the extent of the decline beginning in 2023.” This campaign to shield him from scrutiny further illustrates how far Biden’s team has gone to protect him from the press.
Biden’s long-running relationship with former President Obama has similarly been forced into the limelight. During a visit to the White House in 2023, Obama offered a stark warning: “Just make sure you can win the race.” This advice reflects the deep concern among Democratic leaders about Biden’s ability to rally support and secure victory in 2024.
His ire was echoed by Ari Emanuel, the City Hall-educated Hollywood powerbroker and major Democratic donor. Specifically, he made his case directly to President Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain. He emphatically stated, “Joe Biden cannot run for re-election! He needs to drop out! He can’t win! What’s the plan B?” Now, wise and influential figures are making urgent calls for change. This indicates an increasing recognition among party activists that the party must change in order to win.
Biden’s obvious cognitive decline in recent months has only compounded this issue. If these reports are to be believed, he has lately become more and more unable to remember names and stay on task during important meetings. This downturn has raised the specter of incompetence in his leadership. He’s now got to face off against Republican challengers, including one— former President Donald Trump — who Biden has sought to keep out of the White House.
In a surprising turn of events, Biden did indeed withdraw formally on July 21. He quickly paved the way for Kamala Harris to succeed him. This move followed intense lobbying from party elites and donors who were anxious about Biden’s chances. In June 2024, a heated debate exploded onto the scene in Atlanta. Lawmakers led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer soon took Biden to task at his recess home in Rehoboth, Delaware. Schumer pushed on Biden’s fear of legacy destruction. Schumer played on Biden’s wish to protect and build his future legacy and advised him to start withdrawing from the race.
The campaign hasn’t reached the final stretch yet, aides have been on perpetual red alert about Biden’s public appearances. The events of the past year have prompted many within the party to question whether he can fulfill the obligations of the presidency while simultaneously facing mounting scrutiny over his mental acuity.