Democratic Party officials and White House staff members grappled with growing apprehension over Joe Biden's capabilities during his brief presidential campaign.
According to The Hill, a new book titled "Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House" exposes the extensive measures taken to conceal signs of Biden's aging and contingency plans in case of his incapacitation or death during office. The book's authors, Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, obtained exclusive excerpts detailing these previously undisclosed concerns.
The Democratic Party's inner circle maintained a facade of confidence in Biden's abilities while privately harboring serious doubts about his fitness for office. These concerns intensified following his debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, which ultimately led to Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race in July 2024.
White House officials implemented elaborate measures to manage Biden's public appearances and maintain his image. A dedicated makeup artist was assigned to cover visible signs of aging before travel engagements and Zoom calls, though Biden frequently canceled subsequent briefings.
An unnamed party official involved in confidential discussions shared their perspective on the situation. The official stated:
Publicly, Democrats scoffed at Republican claims that Biden wasn't up to the job. But privately, some of them worried all along that they were putting too much stock in an old man who, at best, had long since lost his fastball.
The administration's concerns extended beyond cosmetic considerations. At the G7 summit in Italy, Biden appeared fatigued during most sessions, according to a Biden aide's account to the authors.
Despite mounting evidence of Biden's declining capabilities, his closest advisers maintained their support for his reelection bid. White House counselor Steve Ricchetti and longtime operative Mike Donilon remained fully committed to the campaign.
First lady Jill Biden demonstrated unwavering support for her husband's political aspirations. A Biden ally revealed that the president's inner circle failed to present alternative perspectives or acknowledge the potential challenges ahead.
One friend of both Biden and Barack Obama criticized the decision to pursue reelection as the "original sin" of the 2024 campaign. They placed responsibility on Biden's family and close advisers for not discouraging his bid.
Behind closed doors, Democratic Party officials began developing contingency plans as early as 2023. These preparations included arrangements for various scenarios, including Biden's potential withdrawal or death in office.
An aide to then-Vice President Kamala Harris maintained a spreadsheet of non-Trump-appointed Republican federal judges. This document was intended to ensure a credible swearing-in process should Harris need to assume the presidency unexpectedly.
Following the pivotal debate, Harris struggled with the campaign's prescribed narrative about Biden's performance. She ultimately chose to focus on contrasting Biden with Trump rather than defending his debate performance.
The revelation of these internal concerns and preparations provides crucial context for understanding Biden's eventual withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. The Democratic Party officials and White House staff members worked diligently to manage Biden's public image while privately preparing for various contingencies. The situation came to a head after Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, leading to his withdrawal from the race in July 2024. This decision marked the culmination of months of behind-the-scenes preparations and growing concerns about his ability to serve another term as president.
