The aging former leader who was once at the helm of American politics has ignited heated discourse of late following new revelations from a former White House insider.
The ex-staffer claims that the Biden administration obscured internal concerns over then-President Joe Biden's aging candidacy and diminishing party backing, as the Daily Caller reports.
Michael LaRosa, who once served as a key press secretary to former first lady Jill Biden, has accused the Biden administration of masking genuine concerns from the public about President Joe Biden's abilities and support during his reelection bid. LaRosa suggests that the administration engaged in a strategy of deflection, dismissing constituent concerns regarding Biden's party backing and ability to lead effectively.
LaRosa's comments come months after Biden's frail showing in a presidential debate against Donald Trump in June 2024. In a landscape where optics matter, Biden's performance was scrutinized, with questions about his age and cognitive fitness gaining traction. Following this, there was an increasing clamor among media and Democrats for Biden to reconsider his reelection campaign.
As the narrative unfolded, the issue came to a head when President Biden ultimately decided to step aside in July 2024. His endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the shift in Democratic Party leadership dynamics. This decision came amid speculation surrounding campaign mismanagement and introspection within Biden's team.
The discourse around internal discord deepened when LaRosa pointed out that Biden's team had dismissed polling data from as early as 2023. According to LaRosa, there was a refusal to confront unfavorable polling that indicated a lack of support from core Democratic Party voters, and independents, with Biden struggling against Trump despite his legal troubles.
Fear appeared to play a significant role within Biden's circle, with LaRosa asserting that there was palpable anxiety concerning unscripted interactions. "The president's team was scared to death of impromptu, unscripted, unrehearsed, unpracticed, unchoreographed anything," he claimed, suggesting a lack of trust in Biden's readiness for off-the-cuff engagements.
This reluctance, according to LaRosa, stemmed from what he described as an inability to match the rapid demands of the "attention economy." He criticized the campaign's inability to utilize Biden's affinity for television, noting a lack of confidence in the candidate's delivery. The campaign's strategy was impacted by these entrenched fears, LaRosa added.
While acknowledging some responsibility, LaRosa viewed calling the situation a “cover-up” as somewhat exaggerated. However, he reiterated the administration's awareness of Biden's advanced years being a potential liability from the start. “From the moment I joined the campaign in the fall of 2019, it was a problem,” LaRosa reflected.
Biden's relationship with the media only complicated matters. LaRosa recounted how, at a crucial juncture, the administration found itself distanced from a press corps that it desperately needed on its side. "Biden needed the press, but when he needed the press the most, they didn’t trust him," he explained, describing how relentless media scrutiny steadily chipped away at Biden's viability.
In retrospect, LaRosa's analysis highlights how polling warnings were seemingly brushed aside. Reflecting on spring and fall 2023 data, he noted that Biden's narrow lead or parity with Trump, despite the latter's legal troubles, was a constant undercurrent of concern that went unaddressed.
Such oversight marks a strategic misstep that ultimately culminated in the concession of Biden’s reelection hopes. The internal denial of reality, coupled with a spotlight on age and mental acuity, painted an insurmountable challenge.
As Biden's presidency drew to a close, reflections on his time in office became inevitable. Reports from former aides painted a picture of a weary leader, marked by the rigors of his term. Despite any initial reservations among some circles about Biden's suitability for office, the foremost American political narrative had profoundly evolved.
LaRosa’s revelations serve as a critical, albeit belated, look into the administration's inner workings. His insights offer a window into the strategic miscalculations and personal apprehensions that defined the latter half of Biden's term.
