This week, while at City Hall alongside Iowa’s veterans and military families, reporters had a few pressing questions for 2028 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.
One question was about President Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities during his time in office. Buttigieg, who previously served as Biden’s Secretary of Transportation, responded, “Every time I needed something from the West Wing from him, I got it.” This was in the context of ongoing discussions about Biden’s capacity to serve another term.
Another reporter probed further, asking if the party might have been better off had Biden opted not to run for reelection. Buttigieg hesitated slightly, stating, “Maybe. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people agree that.” This reflects a growing concern among some Democrats regarding Biden’s viability for 2024.
As early discussions about the 2028 presidential race begin, potential candidates are facing scrutiny about Biden’s mental fitness during the last election cycle. Questions around this matter might be crucial for candidates who hope to earn trust from voters questioning Biden’s ability to handle the hefty responsibilities of the presidency.
Longtime New Hampshire radio host Chris Ryan noted that Democratic voters are still trying to piece together what went wrong in the past election. The way presidential hopefuls address concerns about Biden’s condition is viewed as an early test of their honesty and seriousness from the perspective of voters.
A new book titled “Original Crime: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Miserable Choice to Run Again” has sparked conversations about Biden’s past. The candidacy implications of Biden’s perceived cognitive decline were underlined by remarks from various Democrats, including Rep. Ro Khanna, who suggested unequivocally that it was a mistake for Biden to run again, urging instead for open primaries.
Khanna, who supported Biden during the 2024 election cycle, stated that Democrats must be truthful moving forward. Reflecting on Biden’s struggle after personal losses, he still acknowledges in retrospect that running for reelection was not the right choice.
In related remarks, Sen. Chris Murphy from Connecticut also expressed doubt about Biden’s cognitive state, noting that the debate is about whether it compromised his ability to lead effectively. He hinted that past decisions should have been different given the outcome of the elections.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who was a close ally of Biden, admitted in an interview that she didn’t frequently interact with him. This in itself raises questions about what insights can be drawn from their relationship over the past year and a half.
Overall, while potential candidates navigate their responses and maintain varied views on Biden’s fitness, they seem to agree on one point. As Buttigieg noted, “We are not in a position to get tired of hindsight. We must prepare for the future of this country and this party.” This sentiment resonates among Democrats as they look towards the next election cycle.
