According to reports, President Biden has held several private meetings on an ongoing basis with major donors to allay concerns, including concerns about his age and energy levels in the run-up to the 2024 election.
Biden's attempts to quell their fears have been ongoing since he launched his re-election campaign last spring. The talks took place at the White House and consisted of at least six sessions of four to eight people each, and covered a range of issues, including what to do if former President Trump wins the Republican nomination and abortion rights. It was taken away. .
People familiar with the matter told The Washington Post, which first reported the behind-the-scenes meeting, that Biden's age and energy were also concerns.
Hillary Clinton says Biden's age is a legitimate issue: 'The people have every right to consider it'
President Biden announces additional military aid to Ukraine on January 25, 2023, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“Anyone who had doubts about his determination, energy and passion were dispelled,” a person familiar with the meeting told the Post.
“It just gives him seasoning, which is good. It gives him energy, which is very good,” they said. “And people who think he made a mistake walk away and say, 'That was great.'”
In addition to Biden's top contributors, other people Biden has known for some time were also present, the people said. in the report. The meetings took place in areas of the White House that are not considered “official office spaces” where political activities can be discussed, such as the Map Room and a private dining room.
But other reports Wednesday said Biden had previously given donors a tour of the Oval Office. Axios reported that the White House Counsel's Office warned him last year to stand down to prevent potential legal problems.
It's unclear exactly who attended the meeting, but Biden campaign co-chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, a left-leaning mega-donor and former Disney CEO, facilitated the meeting. Katzenberg told Reuters last year that he believed attacks on Biden's age would backfire on those who took issue with it, adding that Biden's age was his “superpower.” .
The concerns of Biden's top supporters are echoed by other prominent Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, who has said Biden's age matters and people have a right to consider it. Match.
Clinton made the comment during a Financial Times panel discussion last May after the host mentioned an incident in which Biden nearly fell down the stairs.
David Axelrod warns that Biden's 'age issue' is a consistent concern among voters: 'One of the things you can't take back'
Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks on stage at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City on May 24, 2022. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
“There was a heart-stopping moment a day or two ago when he almost fell down the stairs,” said the outlet's editor. “He didn't use the railing, and Jill wasn't with him.”
“Every time something like that happens, it breaks your heart, because these things can end up happening. Does that worry you?” he asked.
“That's a concern for everyone,” Clinton responded. “Previous presidents who have fallen have been younger, but people haven't had heart palpitations.”
“But his age does matter, and people have a right to consider that,” Clinton added. “But, you know, he has great words – and I think he's right – we shouldn't criticize him for opposing the Almighty, but for opposing the alternative. .I'm from the camp that thinks he's determined to run. He's got some good stuff.''Three years ago, people didn't expect it to turn out like this.'' I'm recording what happens. ”
David Axelrod, a former adviser to former President Barack Obama, also raised concerns about Biden's age among voters in November.
“No matter how competent Joe Biden is behind the scenes, the only thing he can't reverse is age,” said David Axelrod (right). (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images | Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“I'm not worried about what the polls will be a year from now. I mean, we'll have to look at the polls, analyze them, and adjust,” Axelrod said. “But I was in a situation in 2011 as a strategist for Barack Obama where I was facing difficult polling.”
“The only number of concern in the poll, and in the CNN poll that followed the New York Times poll, had to do with age, and that is how effective a supporter Joe Biden is. “It's one of those things that you can't overturn, even if it's a 'scene,'” he added. “What he's showing on camera is causing people anxiety and that's concerning.”
The White House and Biden campaign had no immediate comment.
