Democrats Turn on Biden's Inner Circle Post-Debate

[Social Media]

 

The senior team managing President Joe Biden has become increasingly protective over time, limiting his exposure to media and outside advice to manage public perceptions of the oldest president ever. However, the debate meltdown last week highlighted Biden's growing limitations, which were apparent to his team well before the debate.

 

Inside the White House, senior officials have curated information during briefings to avoid provoking a negative reaction from Biden. This management style has led to an increasingly isolated president who relies heavily on a small group of top aides.

 

The debate performance was dismal enough that it shattered the party's belief in Biden's ability to run again. For over three years, Biden's advisers have effectively kept him away from intense public scrutiny. Following the debate, Biden's family and top aides, such as senior adviser Anita Dunn and former chief of staff Ron Klain, have faced criticism. Democratic megadonor John Morgan described the planning and preparation as "political malpractice," blaming Biden's closest aides for his struggles.

 

Biden's tight-knit circle, including longtime aides like Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Bruce Reed, Ted Kaufman, and Ron Klain, has not changed for decades. Critics argue that this insularity has led to the president trailing Trump in polls for months. The number of people with access to Biden has decreased, leading to less openness to outside advice and growing isolation.

 

The White House disputes claims of Biden's isolation, asserting that he frequently seeks input from various staff and that briefings include multiple people. Senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates denied that briefing materials are curated to avoid upsetting Biden, calling the suggestion "false."

 

After the debate, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers, fundraisers, operatives, and activists blame Biden's inner circle for their predicament. Even some White House staffers, who were unaware of the debate plan, have criticized the insular nature of Biden's team.

 

The pervasive view within the party is that Biden's inner circle is an impenetrable group of enablers. Democrats' strong 2022 showing temporarily validated Biden's reelection bid, shutting down credible primary challenges and reshuffling the early state calendar to his benefit. However, now that the race is about Biden and his age, the inner circle is facing scrutiny for not challenging his candidacy earlier.

 

No one has done more to keep Biden isolated than his wife, Jill Biden, and sister, Valerie Biden Owens. Biden's preference for spending weekends in Wilmington, away from aides, reflects his desire for familiarity and privacy. Aides who have worked with Biden for a long time share his resentment towards an elite political and media class that they feel has never given him his due. They view the debate meltdown as another instance of being counted out, convinced that Biden will survive this as he did in 2020 and 2022.

 

Despite efforts to rally around Biden, some Democrats on Capitol Hill fear losing because of him. Suggestions for change are often quickly dismissed by top aides like Anita Dunn, shutting off options and leading to groupthink. White House aides argue that every administration features a small group of top decision-makers and that Biden's is no different.

 

While Biden's campaign has reassured donors and activists, there has been little outreach to Capitol Hill Democrats. The defensiveness over Biden's age is now muscle memory, with the White House aggressively attacking stories focused on the subject. Adjustments to protocol, such as using lower stairs on Air Force One and wearing thick-soled sneakers, reflect efforts to avoid additional stumbles.

 

Aides have kept Biden in a protective bubble since the early months of his term, influenced by senior staff and family. This has led to fewer face-to-face interactions with aides and less exposure to potential gaffes. Biden's schedule is carefully managed, with fewer early morning events and more downtime on foreign trips.

 

The first lady is deeply protective of Biden's schedule, and complaints about overlong events have led to fewer press conferences and interviews. The White House has spurned requests from most TV networks, preferring friendly interviews with podcasters and social media stars.

 

Biden's recent energetic appearance at a rally in North Carolina came with the aid of a teleprompter, which he now uses more frequently. Donors remain concerned about his growing reliance on the prompter, but top surrogates argue for more public appearances to reassure supporters. Democratic Governor Wes Moore emphasized the need to keep Biden visible, believing that continued public engagement will help him win.

 

Credit: Politico 2024-07-03

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Cryingdick]

Nothing creepy about any of that.

[Tug]

5 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Nothing creepy about any of that.

Huh?what a strange thing to say,Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

[Skipalongcassidy]

2 minutes ago, Tug said:

Huh?what a strange thing to say,Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

Now that is creepy... the more and more joe exposes himself in public the more and more the people will see that he is not all there... except you and your ilk who would rather go down with the ship than ever admit to anything contrary to the party line.

[stoner]

5 minutes ago, Tug said:

Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

 

tug.....biden is not ok. 

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

Now that is creepy... the more and more joe exposes himself in public the more and more the people will see that he is not all there... except you and your ilk who would rather go down with the ship than ever admit to anything contrary to the party line.

I’m open to a new candidate never said I wasn’t but one thing I’m not open to trump ever!

[Tug]

3 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

tug.....biden is not ok. 

Do you think trump is?did you listen to what he said?in this case the Biden TEAM is far and away a better option than another trump debacle 

[stoner]

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Do you think trump is?did you listen to what he said?in this case the Biden TEAM is far and away a better option than another trump debacle 

 

but but but trump. you really need to come to grips with what transpired the other night. 

[Tug]

5 minutes ago, stoner said:

 

but but but trump. you really need to come to grips with what transpired the other night. 

I am are you?

[stoner]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

I am are you?

 

the landscape of american politics changed forever. the damage is almost irreversible. the only option isn't even an option. 

 

you will see in a few months. some of us were right about biden and we are right about the election.

 

disclaimer.....i am still not a trump fan or supporter. 

[Skipalongcassidy]

32 minutes ago, Tug said:

 in this case the Biden TEAM is far and away a better option than another trump debacle 

That statement right there is frightening in itself... "Biden TEAM" was never elected and should never be in a position to be ruling anything... talk about a threat to democracy.

[2baht]

10 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

That statement right there is frightening in itself... "Biden TEAM" was never elected and should never be in a position to be ruling anything... talk about a threat to democracy.

It's a mess Skippa, no matter how you look at it! Trump or Biden, OMG help America! How did it get this low?

[Cory1848]

33 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

That statement right there is frightening in itself... "Biden TEAM" was never elected and should never be in a position to be ruling anything... talk about a threat to democracy.

What on earth are you talking about. Every politician, from the president on down to the lowest county official, has a “team,” or perhaps “staff,” of aides whom that politician hires to help them do their job. If you think that this simple and necessary administrative arrangement is somehow a “threat to democracy,” you’re pretty far down the wrong rabbit hole.

 

If you’re looking for actual threats to democracy, you should read the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which aggregates an unprecedented amount of raw power behind the person of the president. If this agenda were adopted by a Republican or other reactionary president, and together with yesterday’s court ruling on presidential immunity, these new tools would quickly enable the establishment of an authoritarian state. If this is what you intend to vote for, may I suggest that you first go spend some time in Russia, or Afghanistan, or unliberated Burma, to see how it suits you.

[thaibeachlovers]

28 minutes ago, 2baht said:

It's a mess Skippa, no matter how you look at it! Trump or Biden, OMG help America! How did it get this low?

America, IMO, has had a broken political system for many decades, and the present debacle is just a symptom of it.

 

PS IMO Trump was elected because the system is broken, but he did not break it. That happened long before he became POTUS.

[thaibeachlovers]

Democrats Turn on Biden's Inner Circle Post-Debate

 

The Democrats are eating their own, So good to see, at long last.

[Cryingdick]

So now Hunter is directly involved. Why is that? I am thinking with the tax trial he is explaining the vulnerabilities he has opened and they are trying to figure out n how to bury the bodies. These activities are extracurricular and will not be included in official duties. It's clear as a bell he had no legitimate business in ukraine.

[Cryingdick]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Democrats Turn on Biden's Inner Circle Post-Debate

 

The Democrats are eating their own, So good to see, at long last.

 

CNN is a big winner in all kf this. They get a unexpected reality injection.

[thaibeachlovers]

15 minutes ago, Cory1848 said:

What on earth are you talking about. Every politician, from the president on down to the lowest county official, has a “team,” or perhaps “staff,” of aides whom that politician hires to help them do their job. If you think that this simple and necessary administrative arrangement is somehow a “threat to democracy,” you’re pretty far down the wrong rabbit hole.

Having a staff to assist a POTUS is not the same as having a staff that protects a problematic person from being exposed, but I'm sure you know that.

 

Would he even be allowed to drive by himself?

 

There is a simple answer to all this though.

Let a panel of independent psychologists and psychiatrists assess his capability of running the US for another 4 years, and make the result public.

[2baht]

18 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

PS IMO Trump was elected because the system is broken, but he did not break it. That happened long before he became POTUS.

Well did he fix it???

[thaibeachlovers]

2 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Well did he fix it???

IMO the US government is beyond "fixing". The future is not looking good for the US or the "free world", but I've said already on this forum that IMO western civilization is in it's end times.

It's been a great ride, but everything ends eventually.

[2baht]

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO the US government is beyond "fixing". The future is not looking good for the US or the "free world", but I've said already on this forum that IMO western civilization is in it's end times.

It's been a great ride, but everything ends eventually.

I would agree totally, The East Is Red! 

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The senior team managing President Joe Biden has become increasingly protective over time, limiting his exposure to media and outside advice to manage public perceptions of the oldest president ever.

 

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Huh?what a strange thing to say,Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

 

Everybody seems to be waiting for Biden's next mistake or failure now .

He is old and it shows .

If the dems want to win , they need to find a replacement soon .

Dope him , like an old racing horse that needs to win a last time before definitely retiring ?

Let him retire now , before something worse happens ...

 

[spidermike007]

It is a real shame that America finds itself in this position. Long before the debate meltdown, it was clear Biden was too old for another term and the reigns should have been handed over to younger, more capable prospects. But not Harris. 

 

Trump is a horrific alternative. He is also too old, is semi senile, is likely insane, and is a terrible leader, with all the wrong qualities and deficiencies. Besides, he cannot negotiate his way out of a paper bag. 

 

This is a very sad time for America, and shows just how far we have declined. 

[JonnyF]

The future of America is more important than Jill's wish to stay in the White house and Hunter's need to be pardoned for his litany of crimes.

 

It's time to get the Biden crime family, and their boss Joe out. 

 

Let Kamala run. She ticks all the boxes that the lefties like. 

[jerrymahoney]

The best thing about the first Biden-Trump debate is that it happened in June and not September

[pegman]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Huh?what a strange thing to say,Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

Unless there is a teleprompter there to remind him to say "hello" he will be lost

[thaipo7]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Huh?what a strange thing to say,Biden needs to get out on more meet and greets to show he’s ok

How???   He is not OK.  Even when he was OK 40 years ago he was not OK.  He was never OK.

[JonnyF]

11 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

The best thing about the first Biden-Trump debate is that it happened in June and not September

 

Dementia is a degenerative disease.

 

If he is still the candidate in September and is allowed to do another debate by his handlers (both unlikely), you'll be looking back at June with fond memories about how articulate Joe once was. 

[jerrymahoney]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Dementia is a degenerative disease.

 

If he is still the candidate in September and is allowed to do another debate by his handlers (both unlikely), you'll be looking back at June with fond memories about how articulate Joe once was. 

So the best thing about this debate happening in June is that the editorial staffs  of 3 left-leaning big city newspapers -- The NY Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution -- have all said on record that Biden would best be serving the Party and the Nation by withdrawing his nomination.

 

Now instead of in September.

Edited July 3 by jerrymahoney

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

So the best thing about this debate happening in June is that the editorial staffs  of 3 left-leaning big city newspapers -- The NY Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution -- have all said on record that Biden would best be serving the Party and the Nation by withdrawing his nomination.

 

Now instead of in September.

 

Possibly.

 

I still find it bizarre that they claim to have not seen his decline before that debate. There was a plethora of very clear signs that many of us were pointing out.