I can't stop thinking about the Biden thing today. Saw two interviews with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson last night, regarding their new book "Original Sin", the longest interview being a full episode of Washington Week with the Atlantic. I hardly ever do this, but I broke down and ordered the book today.
One of their main observations from interviewing over 200 people was that Biden experienced significant decline in 2023 and 2024, that the first-two-years Biden was largely capable of being President, but not so by the end of his term.
Some observations:
1. If the opponent hadn't been Trump, this "existential threat to democracy", maybe insiders would have done something earlier, but they didn't want to risk rocking the boat. They probably figured, okay, let's just babysit him through the election; Trump has so much baggage now that no way that many people will vote for him. After that, if Biden needs to resign, we will still have our Dem in there, who at least will be better than Trump.
2. The mindset sort of reminded me of the lead up to the Iraq War and, to a lesser extent Ukraine, where far too many leaders think it's time to stop asking fundamental questions and just get on board.
My one huge question which was not really asked by Jeffrey Goldberg:
Who could have gotten Biden to not run in, say, late 2023 and why the hell didn't they?
- the authors mentioned names of people in Biden's inner circle. Names which I did not recognize, except for Ron Klain (who was not one of the first names mentioned). Half the reason I'm buying the damn book is to find out who these idiots are!
I halfway give Biden himself a pass, due to his condition and Presidential hubris.
I halfway give Jill Biden a pass, because loyal spouse. Note I said "halfway". She's still Lady Freaking MacBeth to me.
I mostly give Kamala Harris a pass because the VP's main job is to support the President. The last thing she wants to do is knife her boss in the back, even if it's the right thing to do.
For this reason, I sort of give people in his Cabinet a pass. Sort of.
I also sort of give Nancy Pelosi a pass because she was finally the one who put her foot down, albeit six months too late.
But where were the party insiders, the ones who are super-connected and know how to pull all the levers of power? People whose names I may not even know because they are so deep inside? Those people do exist. And then there are Obama and Bill Clinton. I guess they didn't want to disrespect a fellow fraternity brother? Great job, guys.
Don't tell me these insiders didn't know what was going on because Biden was secluded from their view. That very fact would be enough to send up red flags. In the year-long lead-up to an election, this stuff is all they're thinking about!
Fascinating stuff. Our grandkids will be reading about this story.
