Buttigieg Questions Biden’s Reelection Bid
In Washington, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has repeatedly defended President Joe Biden against criticisms about his mental acuity, stated on Sunday that Biden, now 82, should not pursue another term.
Buttigieg, who is 43, seemed to be responding to Biden’s announcement of his intent to run again, expressing support for Vice President Kamala Harris. “He shouldn’t have run,” Buttigieg told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “If he had made that decision earlier, we could have been in a better situation.”
Buttigieg emphasized that the decision was ultimately Biden’s to make: “And now, we are faced with another important decision that requires our focus.” He has previously adopted a more lenient stance regarding Biden’s reelection campaign, but has shifted his tone in recent comments.
In May, when asked whether Biden ought to run again, Buttigieg suggested, “Maybe, with the benefit of hindsight, most people would agree that it’s true.”
In a July interview with NPR’s “Morning Edition,” Buttigieg refuted any claims of Biden experiencing cognitive decline, although he acknowledged the repetitive nature of the questions the media posed. “Whenever I needed something from him in the West Wing, I got it,” he said, reflecting on his time working with Biden.
Amidst mounting concerns about Biden’s suitability to continue as president, Democrat leaders have started to reconsider their roles in downplaying these questions. This shift was highlighted after the release of a book titled *Original Sin* by Jake Tupper and Alex Thompson, which pointed to unnamed Cabinet officials voicing doubts about Biden’s capabilities.
Buttigieg also commented on Harris’ forthcoming memoir, in which she reflects critically on Biden’s quest for reelection, revealing her thoughts: “It was their decision,” she noted, and later questioned whether it was a “bounty or reckless” choice. Buttigieg appeared to align with her sentiments, reiterating that Biden should reconsider his reelection.
