Democrats worry about Biden's cognitive decline amid public confidence
- Democrats raised alarms about Joe Biden's cognitive abilities in private discussions ahead of the June debate, despite public claims of his fitness for the presidency.
- Representative Eric Swalwell expressed concern after an encounter with Biden, where he needed to remind the president of who he was.
- These revelations highlight deep-seated issues within the Democratic party regarding their candidate's health and suitability for the upcoming election.
In the lead-up to the June debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, significant private concerns emerged among Democrats regarding Biden's cognitive abilities. These doubts were highlighted in a book by reporters Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, who detailed how the Biden administration had implemented strategies to maintain the appearance of a competent leader while hiding signs of his decline. An incident where Representative Eric Swalwell had to remind Biden of his identity underscored worries about the former president’s mental acuity during this pivotal period leading to the 2024 election. The book revealed that Biden's team actively sought to cover up his aging and cognitive challenges. For example, it was reported that he regularly met with a makeup artist to conceal visible signs of aging and on occasion would cancel briefings that followed these appointments. Conversations between Biden and his Vice President, Kamala Harris, also reflected his desire for her loyalty, urging her not to break publicly with him over policy differences. His insistence on such loyalty indicated a worry that he could no longer effectively defend his own record. In addition to Biden's inner circle, some members of Congress expressed their apprehensions, highlighting a disconnect between public displays of confidence in his capabilities and the private anxiety regarding his fitness for office. Democrats maintained outward support for Biden's re-election while grappling with underlying fears that they were backing a leader whose abilities were diminishing. The tension between public confidence and private doubts marked a troubling narrative in the lead-up to the election, suggesting a disconnect within the party. As the election approached, these elements painted a complex picture of the Democratic party’s situation regarding their candidate, with many leaders fearing the implications of a president struggling with cognitive decline. The authors characterized the preceding months as a time when both Biden's actions and the reactions of those around him raised alarming questions about his administration’s viability and effectiveness as the political landscape shifted towards the momentous election that would define much of the political future.