Democrats are feeling exhausted by the need to assert that Joe Biden emerged victorious.
What they really want now is for the former president to acknowledge his part in the party’s loss to Donald Trump in 2024.
This week, Democratic strategists, operatives, and donors have reiterated similar thoughts in both discussions and messages. There’s a strong desire for Biden to take responsibility for the defeat of former Vice President Kamala Harris against the new president.
Moreover, they believe he shouldn’t have sought a second term in the first place.
“The Biden administration has taken a lot from Democratic strategist Anthony Corey,” said one participant. “But honestly, does this even matter now? History will judge, and the initial narrative isn’t favorable.”
Democrats find themselves in a tough spot, desperately searching for ways to rebuild the party after the harsh loss in November.
Recent polling from the Associated Press Civil Service Center indicates that only a third of Democrats feel “very optimistic” or “somewhat optimistic” about the party’s future. That’s a significant decrease from July 2024, when about 60% expressed some level of optimism.
Democrats seem to realize they’ve got to fundamentally change their messaging and how they engage with voters, especially regarding fundraising.
Trump has shown that those two aspects aren’t enough to ensure victory, so it isn’t wise to think otherwise.
Yet, what’s really frustrating for them is how Biden and his inner circle acted when he decided to run again. Amid recent discussions related to autobiographical accounts, including books like “Battle: Inside the Wild Battle for the White House,” concerns regarding Biden’s cognitive health have surfaced.
In various interviews over the past few weeks, Biden defended his record, pushing back against former aides who suggested he might be experiencing cognitive decline.
“They’re mistaken,” Biden remarked about the criticisms. “There’s no evidence to back that up.”
He’s also focused on his responsibilities as president. “I made it clear that stepping back from the race wouldn’t mean stepping back from my role,” he said.
“I believe I’ve done quite well these past six months,” he added.
However, he asserted that Harris’s defeat didn’t catch him off guard, attributing much of it to gender bias.
This comment frustrated many Democrats, who insist that accountability is essential for rebuilding. They claim it must start with Biden himself.
“He should stop discussing past grievances about what happened to him and how he feels the party has let him down. The reality is that we’re in this situation because he refused to step aside,” said one strategist.
Former Obama administration advisor David Axelrod, a rare Democrat who has voiced doubts about Biden’s second term, elaborated on social media this week.
“Many folks are starting to see the obvious. An individual who was already showing signs of frailty and was over 80 shouldn’t have taken on the world’s toughest job,” Axelrod stated. “It rarely ends well.”
“When you’re in the presidential position, the pressure is immense, and an 81-year-old with limitations handling both responsibilities for another four years is a stretch. Those around him didn’t do him any favors by failing to be honest,” he continued.
Given Biden’s recent interviews, many Democrats doubt that either he or his advisors will truly reflect on these issues.
An assistant from the Obama White House noted that fellow Democrats are eager to focus on the future.
“The difference now is that Biden claims to be winning, yet there are no longer individuals whose role is to shield the ego of an aging president,” she stated. “Like most Americans, they just want to see what comes next.”
She also mentioned Biden’s top advisor, emphasizing the need for change moving forward.
