In the wake of President Joe Biden’s disappointing debate performance on Thursday, members of his family are calling for changes in his campaign team. The debate performance has sparked internal discussions and finger-pointing within the campaign, highlighting the high stakes of the 2024 presidential race.
Family Criticism and Staff Blame
During a private gathering at Camp David, Biden’s family expressed their frustrations with his top campaign advisers. According to three people briefed on the conversations, the family criticized the team for not preparing Biden to pivot to an offensive strategy during the debate and for overloading him with preparation. They felt Biden was overly focused on defending his record rather than outlining a vision for a second term. Concerns were also raised about Biden being overworked and not well-rested.
Calls for Staff Changes
The family’s complaints targeted key staffers, including senior adviser Anita Dunn, her husband and the president’s attorney Bob Bauer, who played Trump in debate rehearsals, and former chief of staff Ron Klain. Despite the family’s push for firing or demoting these aides, Biden’s campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz stated, “The aides who prepped the President have been with him for years, often decades, seeing him through victories and challenges. He maintains strong confidence in them.” A senior Biden aide also refuted claims of directed frustration at Dunn, Bauer, and Klain.
Campaign’s Defense and Family Support
Biden’s allies and staffers have sought to explain the poor debate performance by citing factors such as illness, over-preparation, and inadequate fact-checking by CNN moderators. Despite these explanations, internal finger-pointing has intensified. The Biden family, particularly First Lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden, are the loudest voices urging the president to stay in the 2024 race.
The family is planning to discuss strategies to reassure Democrats about Biden’s candidacy. Biden has been calling confidants to gather opinions on his performance and next steps. At a campaign rally on Friday, Biden acknowledged the debate did not go well but emphasized his commitment to running for a second term.
Reactions and Future Challenges
Biden’s debate performance has intensified concerns about his age and ability to campaign effectively. A CBS News/YouGov poll showed that 72 percent of registered voters doubt Biden’s mental and cognitive health to serve as president, up from 65 percent earlier this month. Despite these challenges, Biden’s family remains a crucial support system, and their input will heavily influence his decision to continue or withdraw from the race.
First Lady’s Assurance
At a fundraiser in Greenwich Village, the First Lady recounted Biden’s post-debate reaction. She encouraged him by saying, “Look, Joe, we are not going to let 90 minutes define the four years that you’ve been president.” This underscores the family’s resolve to support Biden and continue the campaign despite setbacks.
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