Staff Reports
The White House is currently embroiled in a rather comical case of political hide-and-seek. President Joe Biden appears to be embracing the role of a political ghost as Vice President Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight for the 2024 campaign trail. Veteran Democratic operatives, clearly taking cues from some questionable script, suggest that Biden can best assist Harris simply by going MIA. With a scarcity of public appearances given the escalating chaos overseas and severe weather wreaking havoc in the South, Biden is effectively the political equivalent of a redacted document.
In the latest press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had the tough task of justifying Biden’s vanishing act to a room full of reporters. While she was stuck playing the part of a typical press secretary, she cited an upcoming occasion where the president would meet the 2023 World Series-winning Texas Rangers—because nothing says leadership like offering a sports team praise while the rest of the country grapples with serious crises. It’s become apparent Biden’s public appearances are now being treated like rare collectibles, where the next showcase event is the only thing to look forward to.
No ones running the WHRead "White House pressed about Biden’s disappearing act' on SmartNews: https://t.co/Ne4Bte8Zl9
— MissMoose (@heytheresoapy) August 7, 2024
As for Biden’s plans to campaign for Harris, there seems to be as much clarity as a foggy morning in London. Jean-Pierre’s vague assurances about the president being “supportive” and the duo’s “regular” communication tell more about a disconnected administration than a vibrant campaign strategy. The distinct sense of leadership has quickly morphed into an era of skirting responsibility. It begs the question: is the vice president’s campaign devoid of a plan that necessitates a proactive Biden?
Plans for future appearances are now subject to speculation. Biden is slated to deliver remarks at the Democratic National Convention on August 19. Whether he decides to stick around for the entire week or take the earliest flight back to Washington is anyone’s guess. The impression left is that the political scene has transformed into a game of limbo, with the president ducking even his own party’s showcase event.
Rumblings in the media suggest that Biden might not take kindly to being pushed aside for someone else to lead the party, with none other than former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hinting at the pressure campaign against him, all under the guise of “stamina.” However, Jean-Pierre was quick to dismiss these claims, portraying Biden’s exit from the race as a noble sacrifice for the greater good. If the Democrats were writing a play, they’d have it titled “Passing the Torch,” but audiences might just think it looks more like a clumsy baton drop.
As Biden continues to take a backseat, one has to wonder how long the administration can keep up the charade of a cohesive Democratic Party in the run-up to the election. Whether Biden’s political poltergeist will haunt the stage again remains to be seen, but based on current appearances, it certainly seems like Harris is in for a spooky ride.
