Joe Biden’s “Original Sin,” released last week by Penguin Random House, shows us why. In it, he provides an unflinching self-analysis of his presidency, exposing the complex realities of his presidency and the political environment that shaped his presidency. As the 46th President of the United States navigates his term, he faces heightened scrutiny regarding his declining health and political effectiveness.
The book’s overarching theme is the role identity politics played in shaping decisionmaking with Biden’s inner circle during the 2020 presidential primary. Specifically, it zeroes in on his choice of running mate. An enormous mistake, but many Americans processed his selection strictly through the prism of race and gender. After all, Biden’s only choice was between a Hispanic woman and a Black woman. This strange but deliberate spin on identity politics raised eyebrows and ruffled political feathers. Former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid weighed in, ruminating on what this momentous decision means for public transit.
Biden’s drop, as political reporters Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson have pointed out, didn’t happen overnight. The president’s ensuing isolation from his staff is a plan of the first order. This slow, methodical change is keeping the cruel truth of his disease at bay—at least for now. This intentional distance has alarmed even those inside the White House. One such senior aide just quit, citing profound doubts about Biden’s ability to mount a credible reelection campaign. This departure highlights the growing nervousness among his inner circle.
Biden and his top advisers at first imagined his narrow 2020 victory as a deep public mandate, like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s. This understanding has recently come under fire. The presidency demands a leader capable of maintaining composure and clarity during emergencies—an expectation that some believe Biden has struggled to meet. On the eighth day of a whirlwind Iowa caucus state bus tour in December of 2019, that fear came into focus. Aides began to identify instances when Biden had looked lost.
Given all these obstacles, Democratic activists are beginning to make noise about disappointment within the party about Biden’s perceived poor selection for VP. That’s what some insiders have said they should have done, picking Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer instead. This increasingly common sentiment reflects that those on the left are starting to feel buyer’s remorse. They’re second-guessing all of the campaign’s decisions.
These past challenges with memory and cognitive clarity have become a new theme. In off-the-cuff practice sessions he kept forgetting the name of his longtime aide, Mike Donilon. This was highly concerning to those who were around him. Despite these challenges, observers note that Biden possesses a remarkable ability to create and maintain a personal narrative that resonates with his supporters.
“The Bidens’ greatest strength is living in their own reality.” – A source
We see Biden make a very explicit statement about his commitment to family loyalty and stability. Through his pronouncements on his relatives, he propagates this lie. Beau’s not going to be killed off. Hunter’s sobriety is solid, though. Joe never lies and puts his family above his ambition. As one such source told us, once you’ve got a narrative, you just stay on message and just repeat it.
Not everyone in the party is happy with Biden’s presidency. David Plouffe, a prominent political strategist, candidly stated, “We got so screwed by Biden as a party,” expressing frustration over perceived missteps and missed opportunities during his administration. Another strategist added more pointed criticism: “He stole an election from the Democratic party; he stole it from the American people,” indicating deep-seated dissatisfaction with Biden’s leadership.
As Biden sails on through these dangerous waters, the political mood is cold blooded. His latest health crisis, with constant updates ever since his cancer diagnosis, makes matters worse. His legacy appears buried beneath layers of critical reporting and expressions of sympathy from those who wish for his success despite evident challenges.
“President Biden’s decline and its cover-up by the people around him is a reminder that every White House, regardless of party, is capable of deception.” – Alex Thompson
The wide-ranging demands on the presidency are enormous. A real leader should be prepared to deliver when the time is saltiest, even at midnight. Tapper and Thompson emphasized this notion: “The presidency requires someone who can perform at 2am during an emergency,” underscoring the weighty responsibilities that come with the office.
Questions about his fitness for office will undeniably go unanswered, though. His leadership style—characterized by a steadfast commitment to narrative-building—will continue to be scrutinized as he attempts to solidify his legacy amidst mounting challenges.