Plain English with Derek Thompson cover image

Plain English with Derek Thompson

"People Feel Lied To": The White House, the Media, and the Joe Biden Blame Game

Jul 5, 2024
In this discussion, Mark Leibovich, a Staff writer at The Atlantic, and Alex Thompson, political correspondent for Axios, dive into the fallout from Joe Biden's recent debate performance. They analyze the Democratic Party's 'Project Bubble Wrap' strategy aimed at shielding Biden, examining the tension between optimistic portrayals and public skepticism about his age. They also tackle the hypocrisy of Democrats in privately acknowledging concerns about Biden while maintaining public silence, as well as the speculation surrounding Kamala Harris's potential candidacy.
58:18

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Democratic Party faces a crisis over Joe Biden's age and cognitive decline, leading to internal debates.
  • Media narratives vary on Biden's performance, with concerns about missed opportunities and strategic missteps.

Deep dives

Challenge of Biden's Age and Fitness

The debate over Joe Biden's age and fitness raises concerns about his ability to perform his presidential duties effectively. During his presidency, Biden appeared distant and less engaged, with limited public interactions, leading to internal discussions within his administration about his capabilities. These deliberations culminated in the 'Project Bubble Wrap' strategy, aimed at minimizing Biden's exposure to potential risks and focusing on defensive tactics to avoid errors.

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