Democrats held secret conversations about former President Joe Biden's candidacy long before the 2024 election cycle began.
The New York Post reported that ahead of the presidential race, Democratic leaders meticulously orchestrated plans to address various scenarios that could arise if Biden, aged 82, faced challenges in completing his campaign.
In 2023, as whispers about Biden's ability to carry on in the race grew louder, Democratic insiders initiated confidential discussions.
These "hush-hush" meetings were aimed at anticipating every potential outcome, including whether Biden might need to bow out before or after the primaries or, alarmingly, vacate the candidacy even after securing the party's nomination.
Vice President Kamala Harris's team was involved in these strategic endeavors. Jamal Simmons, her communications director at the time, played a key role. He helped construct plans focused on effectively transitioning Harris into the office and developing strategies for communicating these sensitive scenarios.
The concern of Biden possibly not being fit to maintain his role until election day loomed over Democratic officials.
Despite his intention to remain in the race, a series of events, including a critically panned debate performance on June 27, 2024, against Donald Trump, intensified these concerns.
The poor reception Biden received at campaign activities also heightened pressure on him. Notably, his appearance at a donor reception hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy did not go as planned.
Former President Barack Obama, among other influential Democratic figures, urged Biden behind closed doors to consider stepping down. Obama reportedly questioned Biden's path forward, creating an internal struggle about the best course of action.
Meanwhile, Simmons continued to steer conversations about a possible elevation of Harris if Biden were to step aside. He is said to have suggested that Biden could step down, making way for Harris to ascend to the presidency even before the inauguration.
Tension rose within the Democratic Party as these pertinent discussions unfolded. It was evident to those crafting the strategies that readiness was imperative, not just for the sake of political expediency, but to ensure continuity in leadership.
The inner workings of this complex political theater are thoroughly documented in a forthcoming publication by authors Allen and Parnes. Their book promises to offer an in-depth examination of the strategies considered and the dynamics that shaped the Democrats' approach to the 2024 race.
Biden's ultimate decision to withdraw from the campaign came to fruition on July 21, 2024. This decision set off a cascade of high-stakes strategy and succession planning among Democratic leaders.
While Biden's tenure has been characterized by significant achievements, some viewed his role as a transitional figure—a notion underscored by high-stakes decisions like the one detailed in the book.
The revelation of these plans might prompt further dialogue regarding leadership strategies, particularly in times when health considerations intersect with political futures. The disclosures could prompt broader conversations about succession planning and transparency in American politics.
