James Carville on Biden’s Decline and Election Strategy
Democratic strategist James Carville noted that former President Joe Biden’s decline is apparent in voting trends leading up to the 2024 election. He recently discussed Biden’s involvement in cover-ups referenced in CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s new book.
“I think it’s Jake. [Tapper] wrote a decent book, but honestly, it felt like a ‘water wet’ book to me,” Carville told Will Cain on the release of Tapper’s book titled “Original Sin.”
The book reveals how Biden’s close associates worked to keep his cognitive decline under wraps, drawing from conversations with key administrative figures and prominent Democrats. The mixed responses to the book include both praise for its insights and criticism for being tardy in addressing these issues.
Trump’s Stance on Biden’s Health Records
Carville expressed his lingering concerns, stating, “I’ve been saying since 2022 that it was a big mistake for him to announce his reelection bid. I could repeat that thousands of times.” He emphasized that Biden’s age is a significant factor, noting that if he were to be reelected, he’d be 86 by the end of his second term.
Veteran political strategists argue that keeping Biden in the race could backfire, particularly in light of his dismal debate performance against Donald Trump. Carville remarked, “I don’t know if it’s his staff or family influencing him, but whatever it is, it’s a major blunder.” He added, “To this day, there’s really no way to prove otherwise… It feels like it cost him the presidency.”
Biden exited the race last July and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who ended up losing to Trump. Some within the Democratic Party argue that delaying Biden’s departure left Harris in a tough spot just four months before the election.
Insights from the New Book
Tapper’s book has sparked renewed discussions surrounding Biden’s mental acuity during his presidency. Interestingly, the author admits that he didn’t fully report on the president’s health issues during his time at CNN.
