MSNBC host and Biden supporter Mika Brzezinski criticized the president’s staff on Monday regarding his schedule leading up to the debate. The country is now witnessing what Fox News and other right-leaning outlets have been reporting for some time: Biden is showing signs of significant mental decline and may be unfit to serve another term. A recent CBS/YouGov poll revealed that 72% of Americans believe Joe Biden lacks the mental capacity to be president, with nearly half of Democrats agreeing. The White House and party leaders have been misleading the public about Biden’s capabilities, and voters are likely to hold them accountable in November.
Biden’s family gathered at Camp David over the weekend, seemingly to discuss the future of his campaign. Although an immediate announcement about withdrawing from the race is unlikely, Democratic leaders must prepare for a challenging path forward. The lack of a Plan B is astonishing, particularly considering that Vice President Kamala Harris is a likely replacement if Biden steps down.
Those who continue to support Biden’s campaign are either delusional or motivated by self-interest. Harris, knowing that a re-elected Biden is unlikely to seek another term in 2028, sees this as an opportunity to become the country’s first female president. She understands that if a new candidate is chosen by the Democratic Party, she wouldn’t be at the top of the list. Despite her approval ratings being slightly higher than Biden’s, her previous campaign performance and her record as vice president haven’t been impressive.
First Lady Jill Biden has faced criticism for pushing her husband to continue his campaign. Her insistence on his mental acuity and praise for his debate performance are perceived as disingenuous. Beyond personal ambition, Jill is also likely motivated by protecting her stepson, Hunter, who faces legal troubles. The White House has claimed Biden wouldn’t pardon Hunter, which seems unlikely given the president’s close relationship with his son.
Republicans urging Biden’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment are likely aware of the futility of such an action. The current administration, complicit in concealing Biden’s cognitive decline, is unlikely to take such a drastic step. Many have commented on the complexities of Biden withdrawing from the race, including state-specific rules on late candidate substitutions and the redirection of campaign funds. However, Democrats, who have proven willing to manipulate voting rules in the past, can likely find ways to navigate these challenges.
The most surprising aspect of the situation is how genuinely shocked CNN talking heads were by Biden’s performance in the debate. The realization that their own narratives about Biden’s well-being were false was evident in the reactions of former Obama advisors and anchors. They appear to have been deliberately ignoring evidence of Biden’s declining cognitive abilities, relying solely on their own biased sources. This deliberate ignorance, coupled with the efforts of Democratic leaders to protect Biden, has created a dangerous situation for the country.
The new talking point on the left is that Biden’s debate performance was an anomaly and he remains a strong leader. However, his historically low approval ratings challenge this narrative. In the coming weeks, expect to see Democrats maneuver to replace Biden with a more viable candidate. This transition will likely be messy, with Kamala Harris, who has ambitions for the presidency, unlikely to stand aside peacefully.
