In a striking revelation, allies of former President Joe Biden were reportedly preparing for the possibility of his demise or withdrawal from the presidential race as early as 2023.
This information comes from an excerpt of a new book by Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, which sheds light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering within Biden's camp. The book suggests that contingency plans were being devised to ensure a seamless transition should Biden be unable to continue his campaign.
According to the Daily Caller, the excerpt shared with The Hill reveals that Biden's team was considering alternative candidates to step into the presidential race if necessary. This preparation extended to Vice President Kamala Harris's office, where an aide reportedly maintained a list of Republican federal judges not appointed by President Donald Trump.
The rationale was that if Harris needed to be sworn in unexpectedly, doing so by one of these judges would lend credibility in the eyes of Republicans. Interestingly, Harris was unaware of this list until the aide's departure in January 2023. The aide had a communication strategy ready and insisted on being informed immediately if anything happened to Biden.
Despite the concerns about Biden's ability to complete the 2024 election cycle, those closest to him remained confident in his capacity to endure the race. The book quotes a Biden ally stating, "At the end of the day, I dont 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."
The book also touches on the public perception of Biden's age and health. A photograph captured by Eric Baradat for AFP/Getty Images shows Biden tripping while boarding Air Force One in March 2021, an incident that fueled speculation about his physical fitness. To mitigate concerns about his age, Biden reportedly employed a makeup artist to conceal signs of aging before public appearances. "Biden consistently made these makeup appointments, but he sometimes canceled the briefings that were to follow," Parnes and Allen note.
The anxiety surrounding Biden's health intensified in 2023, particularly after he stumbled during the Air Force Academy's commencement ceremony. The White House, however, maintained that he was "fine" following the fall. Throughout the year, while some allies were preparing for the worst, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre publicly dismissed concerns about Biden's health. She assured reporters in February 2023, "If you watch him, youll see that he has a grueling schedule that he keeps up with that sometimes some of us are not able to keep up with."
The revelations in Parnes and Allen's book highlight the intricate planning and concerns within Biden's circle regarding his age and health. As the 2024 election approaches, these insights offer a glimpse into the strategic considerations and challenges facing the Democratic Party.
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