Following President Biden's recent debate, where he appeared disoriented, CNN's Senior White House Correspondent MJ Lee, reported significant worry among Democrats regarding his overall health and public management.
Lee reported that there is mounting dissatisfaction with how Biden's advisors and family members manage his public appearances. Specifically, these inner circle members are accused of overly controlling his exposure to prevent unscripted public interactions, which might reveal more about his current health state.
Many Democrats have approached Biden's advisors with their worries, only to feel disregarded. Worse yet, there are allegations of abuse by senior aides towards subordinates to make sure that everyone in the White House toes the line on Biden's health.
This has caused a rift within the party, as concerns are brushed aside and staffers are pressured to maintain a consistent, positive narrative concerning Biden's health.
MJ Lee detailed the reactions of Democrats who were taken aback by Biden's performance at the CNN debate.
"One thing that we have heard so consistently since that CNN debate, some two weeks ago was how shocked Democrats across the board were by the president's performance and seeing him be so halting and dazed at moments on that debate stage," Lee reported.
The blame for these circumstances has fallen heavily on those closest to Biden.
According to Lee, "There is a lot of anger and the blame that is being placed on the inner circle of advisers and family members around the president, and what these people say is this really painstakingly choreographed and stage-managed daily operations at the White House around the president that are set up specifically designed to prevent the public from often seeing the president in these extended, unscripted settings."
This crafted management of Biden's appearances aims to shield the public from a full appraisal of his capacity, further deepening party insiders' frustration.
The White House has responded to these reports by emphasizing Biden's recent active schedule and engagement with the media. They defend his sharpness and capability, underlining his extensive travels and interactions with the press as evidence of his continued competency in office.
Senior administration officials have also been quoted defending Biden, asserting his mental acuity and effectiveness in handling presidential duties. "I mean, we got an extensive response from the White House to our story defending the breadth of the president's recent travels, his engagements with the press, certainly his record in the first three-and-a-half years in office," said Lee.
Despite these defenses, the dissent within the Democratic ranks continues as the approach to managing Biden's public persona remains a contentious issue.
Democrats who have voiced concerns find themselves facing significant pushback from Biden's advisors. A top Democrat told Lee, "Everyone who expresses any level of suspicion or contrary views, they call everyone and they beat the s**t out of them and say 'stay on message.'"
This method of handling dissent reveals a strategic, albeit forceful, approach to maintaining a unified front on issues regarding the president's health. It has led to increased tensions within the party as members feel their genuine concerns are being ignored in favor of a controlled narrative.
The ongoing struggle to balance transparency with image management continues to be a divisive element in the Democratic Party's internal dynamics.
To summarize, there is a growing unease among Democrats regarding the handling of President Biden's public image, especially following a debate performance that raised eyebrows about his health.
Concerns about Biden's declining stamina and mental clarity are being met with strict control by his advisors and family, who manage his public interactions to minimize potentially unscripted situations.
Despite internal criticism, the White House has robustly defended Biden's capacity and engagements, emphasizing his sharpness and activity. The conflict between the need for transparency and the push to maintain a polished image highlights deep divisions within the party.
