During the 2020 presidential campaign, internal tensions surfaced within President Joe Biden's team over First Lady Jill Biden's prominent campaign schedule, which was perceived as overshadowing his own efforts.
Ok! Magazine reported that concerns arose about the impact of Jill Biden's active role on the President's public perception, prompting a strategic shift in her team's communication approach.
Jill Biden's campaign trail enthusiasm led her communications staff in Iowa to be reprimanded for emphasizing her more active role over the President.
This came after Michael LaRosa, Jill Biden's former press secretary, was instructed by her chief of staff, Anthony Bernal, to minimize comparisons between their campaigning efforts, fearing it could portray President Biden as less engaged.
The instructions to downplay Jill Biden's campaigning were part of broader internal guidelines aimed at maintaining the President's image. These guidelines included scheduling President Biden's daily commitments in the afternoons, a time when he was noted to be most effective.
A national security official even noted that a meeting had to be rescheduled due to President Biden having a "bad day," further highlighting the meticulous care taken with his public and private schedule.
President Biden himself felt upstaged not only by Jill Biden but also by his running mate Kamala Harris during the campaign. This situation was complicated by the vigorous campaigning of his wife, as reported by New York Times correspondent Katie Rogers in her book.
Jill Biden's intense campaign schedule involved using two private jets, contrasting sharply with her husband's more limited public appearances, which drew criticism, including pointed remarks from then-President Donald Trump.
Trump frequently targeted Joe Biden for his fewer in-person events, often chiding him at rallies for staying in his basement, a narrative that seemed to gain traction amidst the contrasting public appearances of his wife.
Despite the President's reduced public appearances, his team was described as extremely loyal, showing little tolerance for criticism or dissent.
This close-knit group managed not only the day-to-day campaign operations but also navigated the complex dynamics brought on by external criticisms and internal perceptions.
Amidst this, Representative Jim Himes noted his lack of personal interactions with President Biden, even while working closely on national security issues, suggesting a compartmentalized approach within the Biden administration.
The campaign team's efforts to adjust the narrative around the Bidens' public appearances were a balancing act aimed at highlighting President Biden's ongoing commitment to his campaign while mitigating any perceived overshadowing by his wife's robust campaigning.
Michael LaRosa, reflecting on the campaign dynamics, once remarked to a reporter, "The more you talk her up, the more you make him look bad," underscoring the delicate balance the team aimed to maintain.
This sentiment was echoed during a rescheduled meeting when an aide explained, "He has good days and bad days, and today was a bad day, so we’re going to address this tomorrow," highlighting the adaptability required by the President's team.
Claims about President Biden not performing energetically compared to his five decades of public service further fueled the strategic shifts within his campaign, pointing to a nuanced approach to managing both public perceptions and the realities of campaigning.
The dynamic within the Biden campaign offers a unique insight into the challenges faced by presidential candidates in balancing personal effectiveness with public expectations.
The strategic decisions made by Jill Biden's team in response to internal and external pressures illustrate the complex interplay of personal roles and public perceptions in a high-stakes political environment.
