After a disastrous debate, attention shifts to Joe Biden’s inner circle.
The party seeks someone to blame for the president’s poor performance against Donald Trump. Consequently, calls for Joe Biden to expand his team grow louder.
In 1987, Biden faced a plagiarism scandal during his first presidential campaign. His adviser and friend, Ted Kaufman, bluntly advised, “There’s only one way to stop the sharks, and that’s pull out.” Biden heeded this advice and withdrew.
In 2015, Biden considered another run for the White House. His longtime confidant, Mike Donilon, delivered the verdict. “I caught him looking at me and gestured, What is it, Mike?” Biden recalled. “‘I don’t think you should do this,’ he said.” Once again, Biden followed the counsel and refrained from running.
Now, in 2024, Biden is the president. Yet, he faces questions about his future after a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
This debacle casts a critical light on the counsel from his most trusted advisers.
The Biden campaign called for an early debate, set rules seemingly advantageous to Trump, and rehearsed Biden for the showdown. At Camp David, Biden’s family reportedly criticized his top advisers and urged changes. Donors also called for a team shake-up. This team includes Donilon, who has advised Biden since the 1980s, and Ron Klain, Biden’s first White House chief of staff. Ted Kaufman, by Biden’s side for over fifty years, Anita Dunn, a former White House counsel, and her husband Bob Bauer, Biden’s personal lawyer, also faced scrutiny.
Campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon signed off on the debate strategy. Dillon, who aided Biden in 2020, was appointed in January to boost his re-election campaign. Dunn endorsed this strategy too.
“@JoeBiden’s advisers failed him,” John Morgan, a top Democratic donor, posted on X. “Format was a disaster for him and a plus for Trump. He over-practiced and was drained… who wouldn’t be.” Morgan criticized the influence of Anita Dunn and Bob Bauer, calling it political malpractice.
Biden’s major career decisions have always been family-centric.
His wife, Jill Biden, and son, Hunter Biden, strongly support his continued candidacy. His sister, Valerie Biden Owens, a fierce defender, also supports him.
Biden’s inner circle includes Donilon, Klain, and Kaufman. These insiders now contemplate stabilizing Biden’s campaign. Biden frequently consults Donilon and Klain. Donilon masterminded the 2020 election strategy focused on defending democracy. Both Donilon and Klain, taking time off from other duties, attended debate preparations at Camp David.
Kaufman, whom Biden meets for lunch when in Delaware, has been a constant presence. Valerie Biden Owens emphasized Kaufman’s wisdom and influence in her memoir.
Biden’s campaign sought an early debate to highlight the Trump threat. They succeeded in Atlanta with strict rules, yet Biden appeared out of sorts. He stumbled over words, lost his train of thought, and failed to counter Trump effectively.
Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, commented on Biden’s over-preparation. “The president was over-prepared, with too many facts and too few themes. It would have been better to build on his instincts.”
The Democratic party is divided over whether Biden should drop out in favor of a younger candidate. This debate carries significant risks. Nevertheless, Biden’s family and senior advisers insist he should continue.
Galston added, “I hope this doesn’t represent the last word on the subject.”
Following the debate, Biden delivered a forceful speech in North Carolina.
Campaign chair O’Malley Dillon reported no change in voters’ opinions in battleground states after the debate. She warned against “overblown media narratives” driving temporary poll dips and expressed confidence in Biden’s November victory.
However, some Democrats demand answers. Simon Rosenberg, a party strategist, stressed the need for a response from Biden’s campaign. “They need time to discuss internally and develop a new strategy.”
Rosenberg added, “The campaign must operate at a higher level now. We need to fight harder. The campaign needs to do more and take more responsibility.”
The Biden campaign has faced criticism for being insular and defensive.
Calls grow for it to collaborate with allies who have legitimate concerns. Patrick Gaspard, president of the Center for American Progress, urged the campaign to expand its circle of support. “They need to work with humility and vulnerability.”
Despite the criticism, Biden’s loyalty to his inner circle means a staff shake-up is unlikely. He resisted firing national security adviser Jake Sullivan after the Afghanistan withdrawal. Yet, there is pressure to change course.
Democratic strategist Kurt Bardella emphasized promoting Biden’s competence. “We need to see Biden as a robust, vigorous candidate. They’ve limited his exposure, keeping him in a bubble.”
Bardella added, “People believe Biden can stick to a script. The question is, how will he perform without guardrails? The debate was a disaster without those guardrails.”
In conclusion, Biden’s inner circle faces scrutiny after the debate debacle. There are calls for changes within the team. Biden’s campaign must adapt to regain momentum. They need to address concerns and collaborate with allies to succeed. The pressure is on, and the campaign must rise to the challenge.