Joe Biden faced significant criticism for his timing in the 2024 presidential election, with a former top aide to Kamala Harris stating he was “completely screwed” due to his delayed decision to step back. David Plouffe, a key strategist in Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, joined Harris’s team last summer after Biden opted not to run.
In the upcoming book, co-authored by Jake Tupper and Alex Thompson, Harris’s brief and challenging campaign against Donald Trump is described as a “nightmare.” Plouffe noted that it’s all on Biden, especially in light of his poor performance against Trump, which raised concerns about his age and mental acuity. Plouffe emphasized, “He completely screwed us.”
The narrative portrays a dire situation for Biden and his influence on the Democratic Party’s prospects. Following Harris’s defeat, an aide expressed the challenge of starting the campaign from a “deep hole,” a remark made on social media that was later retracted.
Plouffe recounted how he frequently received calls from worried donors about Biden’s declining energy and cognitive abilities. Despite this, he assured them that Biden could still win, though many insiders voiced concerns about his mental state and the futile attempts by his close associates to shield him from scrutiny.
A senior staff member who left the administration revealed the extensive efforts to protect Biden from his own team, stating, “Many weren’t aware of the depth of his decline in 2023.” While he praised Biden’s decency and character, he also criticized the environment that allowed him to continue campaigning.
Another Democratic strategist described Biden’s decision to pursue re-election as detrimental, saying, “He stole the election from the Democrats and the American people.” This book, “Original Sin,” is among several anticipated works discussing the 2024 election and alleged schemes within the White House.
Biden, now 82, seems to be preemptively addressing these concerns, having appeared on various media outlets recently. He has associated with a talent agency to improve his public image.
The authors claim that Biden has struggled with his speech and memory since 2022, resulting in inconsistent public appearances. Some aides captured footage as evidence when he had trouble delivering a simple speech.
Throughout 2023, notable figures attempted to intervene, including Obama, who visited Biden to stress the importance of winning. Ali Emanuel, a key Democratic donor, voiced concerns to Biden’s ally Ron Crane, who admitted there was no backup plan if Biden faltered.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also confronted Biden, warning that continuing to run could tarnish his legacy. According to the book, Biden acknowledged the weight of Schumer’s words by placing his hand on his shoulder before replying, “You have the ball bigger than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Biden eventually threw his support behind Harris on July 21, but the authors argue it was too late and he had inadvertently facilitated Trump’s potential return to power.
