Behind the Curtain: How Biden’s Decline Shaped Harris’s Role

[Social Media]

 

Democratic Party officials and White House staffers were well aware of former President Joe Biden’s frailties long before he ultimately decided to step away from his reelection campaign in the summer of 2024. Exclusive excerpts from the upcoming book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House by The Hill senior political correspondent Amie Parnes and NBC News senior national politics reporter Jonathan Allen provide insight into the extensive efforts taken to manage concerns about Biden’s age and the contingency planning in place should he withdraw or even pass away in office.

 

“It shows what we had to do to prepare with the unique circumstances we had, which was an eighty-plus-year-old president who was running,” an involved party official stated, according to Parnes and Allen.

 

Biden’s age was a looming issue from the moment he launched his campaign in April 2023. Despite public assurances from Democratic leaders that he was fully capable of winning and serving another term, internal worries persisted well before his disastrous debate performance in June 2024 against then-candidate Donald Trump. While officials dismissed Republican allegations about Biden’s declining cognitive abilities, some privately feared they were relying too heavily on a president who “at best, had long since lost his fastball,” as the authors noted.

 

 

One of the earliest signs of concern came from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a former 2020 presidential candidate. Swalwell reportedly became alarmed after a conversation with Biden at the White House picnic in June 2023. According to the book, Biden did not immediately recognize Swalwell, prompting the congressman to remind the president of personal details to jog his memory.

 

As Biden’s campaign continued, further signs of his struggles surfaced. During the G7 summit in Italy, he arrived exhausted, and in many sessions, his aides observed his fatigue. To mask the visible effects of aging, a makeup artist was enlisted to work on Biden’s appearance before public events and even Zoom calls with staff. However, while he rarely missed these cosmetic preparations, he sometimes canceled briefings that followed.

 

In the aftermath of his debate against Trump, additional measures were taken to assist Biden. At a fundraiser at New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s residence, he required fluorescent tape to guide him through the venue and used a teleprompter even when addressing a small group. Despite these efforts, he frequently lost his train of thought during his remarks.

 

Yet, those closest to Biden remained unwavering in their support for his reelection bid. White House counselor Steve Ricchetti and longtime Biden strategist Mike Donilon were described as “one hundred percent in,” while First Lady Jill Biden was reportedly “a thousand percent” behind the decision. “At the end of the day, I don’t think anyone in that inner circle was presenting the president any contrary advice that this thing is not going to be easy or maybe this is not the best thing for the Democratic Party,” an insider revealed.

 

Some, however, viewed Biden’s decision to run again as a critical mistake. One close friend of both Biden and former President Barack Obama described his reelection bid as the “original sin” of the 2024 election, blaming his inner circle and family for not steering him away from another run.

With Biden’s vulnerabilities evident, quiet preparations for a possible successor began behind the scenes as early as 2023. A staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris kept a spreadsheet tracking Republican federal judges that Trump had not yet appointed. The purpose was to ensure that, in the event Harris had to assume the presidency unexpectedly, she could be sworn in by someone seen as more credible to Republicans. Harris, however, was unaware of this list at the time.

 

When Biden’s debate performance raised new doubts, Harris had to decide how to address it publicly. Campaign aides initially crafted talking points emphasizing a “slow start, stronger finish,” but Harris found this messaging unconvincing. Instead, she pivoted to drawing a sharper contrast between Biden and Trump. “It was a slow start. That’s obvious to everyone. I’m not going to debate that point,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “I’m talking about the choice in November. I’m talking about one of the most important elections in our collective lifetime.”

 

 

Based on a report by The Hill  2025-04-02

 

 

 

[Dan747]

Behind the Curtain is a "LOSER!!"

[Tug]

He certainly did age out no doubt about it that being said he and his TEAM did a superb job with lots of meaningful legislation accomplished it’s to bad we are to masoginistic to elect a woman we are now paying for that short coming.

[dinsdale]

49 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Democratic Party officials and White House staffers were well aware of former President Joe Biden’s frailties long before he ultimately decided to step away from his reelection campaign in the summer of 2024.

No way he stepped away. He was threatened with removal using the Twenty-fifth Amendment, Article II, Section 1, Clause 6. Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office of the President of The United States of America.

[JonnyF]

13 minutes ago, Tug said:

He certainly did age out no doubt about it that being said he and his TEAM did a superb job with lots of meaningful legislation accomplished it’s to bad we are to masoginistic to elect a woman we are now paying for that short coming.

 

Nothing to do with misogyny.

 

She was a terrible candidate with a horrible personality and no sensible policies, other than a couple she stole from Trump.  

 

Don't blame voters for your DEI failure. 

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

to masoginistic to elect a woman

 

I'm sure you're probably just trolling, but word-salad-Harris was a terrible candidate and her not getting elected had nothing to do with misogyny.  It's a miracle she got as many votes as she did.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

No way he stepped away. He was threatened with removal using the Twenty-fifth Amendment, Article II, Section 1, Clause 6. Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office of the President of The United States of America.

 

He was made to step away after the debate as the Dems realised they couldn't hide his dementia with lies anymore.

[BangkokReady]

It's important to note that the Dems, plus a lot of Dem supporters (even some on this forum) were fully aware that Biden had dementia and was not fit to serve, but chose to lie and try to suppress that fact, even stooping as low as to suggest that a man who forgets what he is talking about, who people are, or where he is, is simply the effect of a speech impediment.

[thaipo7]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Democratic Party officials and White House staffers were well aware of former President Joe Biden’s frailties long before he ultimately decided to step away from his reelection campaign in the summer of 2024. Exclusive excerpts from the upcoming book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House by The Hill senior political correspondent Amie Parnes and NBC News senior national politics reporter Jonathan Allen provide insight into the extensive efforts taken to manage concerns about Biden’s age and the contingency planning in place should he withdraw or even pass away in office.

 

“It shows what we had to do to prepare with the unique circumstances we had, which was an eighty-plus-year-old president who was running,” an involved party official stated, according to Parnes and Allen.

 

Biden’s age was a looming issue from the moment he launched his campaign in April 2023. Despite public assurances from Democratic leaders that he was fully capable of winning and serving another term, internal worries persisted well before his disastrous debate performance in June 2024 against then-candidate Donald Trump. While officials dismissed Republican allegations about Biden’s declining cognitive abilities, some privately feared they were relying too heavily on a president who “at best, had long since lost his fastball,” as the authors noted.

 

 

 

One of the earliest signs of concern came from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a former 2020 presidential candidate. Swalwell reportedly became alarmed after a conversation with Biden at the White House picnic in June 2023. According to the book, Biden did not immediately recognize Swalwell, prompting the congressman to remind the president of personal details to jog his memory.

 

As Biden’s campaign continued, further signs of his struggles surfaced. During the G7 summit in Italy, he arrived exhausted, and in many sessions, his aides observed his fatigue. To mask the visible effects of aging, a makeup artist was enlisted to work on Biden’s appearance before public events and even Zoom calls with staff. However, while he rarely missed these cosmetic preparations, he sometimes canceled briefings that followed.

 

In the aftermath of his debate against Trump, additional measures were taken to assist Biden. At a fundraiser at New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s residence, he required fluorescent tape to guide him through the venue and used a teleprompter even when addressing a small group. Despite these efforts, he frequently lost his train of thought during his remarks.

 

Yet, those closest to Biden remained unwavering in their support for his reelection bid. White House counselor Steve Ricchetti and longtime Biden strategist Mike Donilon were described as “one hundred percent in,” while First Lady Jill Biden was reportedly “a thousand percent” behind the decision. “At the end of the day, I don’t think anyone in that inner circle was presenting the president any contrary advice that this thing is not going to be easy or maybe this is not the best thing for the Democratic Party,” an insider revealed.

 

Some, however, viewed Biden’s decision to run again as a critical mistake. One close friend of both Biden and former President Barack Obama described his reelection bid as the “original sin” of the 2024 election, blaming his inner circle and family for not steering him away from another run.

With Biden’s vulnerabilities evident, quiet preparations for a possible successor began behind the scenes as early as 2023. A staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris kept a spreadsheet tracking Republican federal judges that Trump had not yet appointed. The purpose was to ensure that, in the event Harris had to assume the presidency unexpectedly, she could be sworn in by someone seen as more credible to Republicans. Harris, however, was unaware of this list at the time.

 

When Biden’s debate performance raised new doubts, Harris had to decide how to address it publicly. Campaign aides initially crafted talking points emphasizing a “slow start, stronger finish,” but Harris found this messaging unconvincing. Instead, she pivoted to drawing a sharper contrast between Biden and Trump. “It was a slow start. That’s obvious to everyone. I’m not going to debate that point,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “I’m talking about the choice in November. I’m talking about one of the most important elections in our collective lifetime.”

 

 

Based on a report by The Hill  2025-04-02

 

 

 

I see two losers.

[Harrisfan]

9 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's important to note that the Dems, plus a lot of Dem supporters (even some on this forum) were fully aware that Biden had dementia and was not fit to serve, but chose to lie and try to suppress that fact, even stooping as low as to suggest that a man who forgets what he is talking about, who people are, or where he is, is simply the effect of a speech impediment.

Yes lefties are willing to lie non stop. They never admit the truth.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Yet, those closest to Biden remained unwavering in their support for his reelection bid. White House counselor Steve Ricchetti and longtime Biden strategist Mike Donilon were described as “one hundred percent in,”

Of course they were- 100% self interest. If Biden went, so went they. Put their own interests ahead of the Nation. Is that treason?

[thaibeachlovers]

19 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's important to note that the Dems, plus a lot of Dem supporters (even some on this forum) were fully aware that Biden had dementia and was not fit to serve, but chose to lie and try to suppress that fact, even stooping as low as to suggest that a man who forgets what he is talking about, who people are, or where he is, is simply the effect of a speech impediment.

I'm sure that some are still convinced that he would have been a great president in part 2. No accounting for the craziness of lefty liberals.

[Searat7]

Classic case of elder abuse by Jill and his senior staff.  The Democrats still have no leader.

[frank83628]

Her role was to do whatbher masters told her, she was not voted for. She was installed, and a bmvery bad choice at that, and notnthe dems are done, I haven't seen any of them speaking out on the attacks on Tesla, they have nothing to offer other policy wise, just attack Trump and allow the media to spread lies & hate for them.

 

[puck2]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Nothing to do with misogyny.

 

She was a terrible candidate with a horrible personality and no sensible policies, other than a couple she stole from Trump.  

 

Don't blame voters for your DEI failure. 

 

.... but Trump-bootlicker  VANCE is a high quality Vice-President ???  

 

I imagine, Harris would have flown to Greenland. She would have been welcomed with open arms and had not to escape to the US-army buildings in Greenland. 

 

Many thanks to Greenland for this reaction against the autocratic USA government of Trump!!! The same would happen nearly everwhere in the world, because the Trump idiotic policy is "beloved" so much 

[Eric Loh]

Biden and Harris are passe. There are more serious issues now with a cognitive challenged POTUS who is dictating policies that affect the country and the world and has yet to show his medical report. 

[thaibeachlovers]

12 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Biden and Harris are passe. There are more serious issues now with a cognitive challenged POTUS who is dictating policies that affect the country and the world and has yet to show his medical report. 

You should be thanking whichever deity you follow that Harris wasn't the winner. No matter how bad the present POTUS may be, it's nowhere near as toxic as that nattering imbecile Harris would have been.

[Eric Loh]

12 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You should be thanking whichever deity you follow that Harris wasn't the winner. No matter how bad the present POTUS may be, it's nowhere near as toxic as that nattering imbecile Harris would have been.

Harris no way near Trump's uncouth, lack of discipline, decorum and toxic masculinity on the world stage.

[HK MacPhooey]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

He certainly did age out no doubt about it that being said he and his TEAM did a superb job with lots of meaningful legislation accomplished it’s to bad we are to masoginistic to elect a woman we are now paying for that short coming.

Idiot post of the week and actually it was mainly women voters who failed to turn out to vote for Harris... luckily😃

[placnx]

20 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You should be thanking whichever deity you follow that Harris wasn't the winner. No matter how bad the present POTUS may be, it's nowhere near as toxic as that nattering imbecile Harris would have been.

I agree that Harris was/is a loser, but I blame Obama for having picked Biden. Have there been any "tell alls" on how Obama settled on Biden as his running mate?

[thaibeachlovers]

9 minutes ago, HK MacPhooey said:

Idiot post of the week and actually it was mainly women voters who failed to turn out to vote for Harris... luckily😃

Even women knew she was a loser.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 minutes ago, placnx said:

I agree that Harris was/is a loser, but I blame Obama for having picked Biden. Have there been any "tell alls" on how Obama settled on Biden as his running mate?

I suspect he was there to placate all the white voters that would not vote for Obama otherwise. Also, he was a chair warmer drone that did what he was told.

[Luuk Chaai]

One of the earliest signs of concern came from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a former 2020 presidential candidate. Swalwell reportedly became alarmed after a conversation with Biden at the White House picnic in June 2023. According to the book, Biden did not immediately recognize Swalwell, prompting the congressman to remind the president of personal details to jog his memory.

 

Oh yeah ,,  you're that guy with the chinese spy girlfriend !

[frank83628]

2 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Biden and Harris are passe. There are more serious issues now with a cognitive challenged POTUS who is dictating policies that affect the country and the world and has yet to show his medical report. 

Haha, you still trying that lame pathetic nonsense. What a croc of sht

 

[frank83628]

1 hour ago, Luuk Chaai said:

One of the earliest signs of concern came from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a former 2020 presidential candidate. Swalwell reportedly became alarmed after a conversation with Biden at the White House picnic in June 2023. According to the book, Biden did not immediately recognize Swalwell, prompting the congressman to remind the president of personal details to jog his memory.

 

Oh yeah ,,  you're that guy with the chinese spy girlfriend !

Yes, the Chinese spy girlfriend that was brushed under the carpet by all the MSM. I doubt may here even heard about him.

[AgMech Cowboy]

I'm not going to comment on all the bull feces about who picked who and their skin color. My comment is only about P.J. Biden. Age had absolutely nothing to do with his capabilities.  He was already showing signs of mental decline in 2020.  He's never been the sharpest tool in the box or kitchen, but other than Tulsa Gabbert and Montana Gov Stephen Bullock, Biden was the only smart choice to run against incumbent Trump.  They weren't flashy or popular with the media, so no one knew them. (they exhibited too much common sense). 

 

Age had NOTHING to do with P.J. Biden's mental decline.  My brother's Alzheimer's started when he was in his early 60's.

[Red Forever]

6 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

I see two losers.

I see one winning President who beat Trump and another who came within a whisker of beating your cult leader.

Didn’t think your post through did ya?

[frank83628]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

You should be thanking whichever deity you follow that Harris wasn't the winner. No matter how bad the present POTUS may be, it's nowhere near as toxic as that nattering imbecile Harris would have been.

Everything would have been done for the war hawks, however isreal is stirring the pot now with Trump.

The MIC demands 50b a year, they need a war to get paid

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Haha, you still trying that lame pathetic nonsense. What a croc of sht

 

I thought you are intelligent enough to notice that he is a dumb sht. I am dissapointed with you. 

[frank83628]

4 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

I thought you are intelligent enough to notice that he is a dumb sht. I am dissapointed with you. 

 You can have an opinion about him, but to say he is in cognitive declline is a flat out lie. And makes you look foolish.