Staff Reports
In the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside for the 2024 presidential race, a narrative of dramatic transformation has taken place in the Democratic Party. Rather than shining in the spotlight, Biden has opted for a backseat role, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to take center stage as the presumptive nominee. This shift seems less like a graceful transition and more like a strategic retreat to keep the canary in the coal mine of Democratic discontent from singing too loudly.
In just a fortnight since Biden’s announcement, his public appearances have dwindled to what one might measure in mere crumbs. Observing from the sidelines, he’s letting Harris attempt to reignite the party’s spirit. This isn’t just any old transfer of power; it’s a race against time to stave off the return of former President Donald Trump—who is set to run again, much to the chagrin of those who aim for a “Biden 2.0” approach.
Biden steps off stage as Harris takes the spotlight https://t.co/hO1AYZNFVS
— 🇺🇸 The Briefing Room 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@Briefing__Room) August 3, 2024
The entire Democratic operation seems to be in damage control mode, where Biden must navigate the fine line between preserving his legacy while ensuring he doesn’t scare away voters with his age and mental acuity concerns. The party appears to believe that Biden’s prolonged absence might just yield fruitful results for Harris, who is busy branding herself as a fierce contender, ready to defeat Trump, now his own legal woes are making headlines.
Some Democratic insiders have pushed for Biden to take on the role of a supportive figure. They believe his effectiveness lies in graciously exiting the spotlight, thus allowing Harris to strut her stuff without the shadow of his unpopularity looming over her. While they tout Biden’s supposed accomplishments—including saving the nation from COVID-19 and that guy with orange hair—the reality is that his presence—like that of a school principal at a prom—might draw unnecessary attention away from their rising star.
Meanwhile, Republicans aim to keep the pressure on Harris. They’ve trained their sights on allegations that she was involved in downplaying Biden’s age issues, a narrative some Democratic advisors note could gain traction the more often Biden decides to pop up and wave from the sidelines. Not to mention recent criticisms from Democrats regarding Trump’s erratic behavior; those self-inflicted wounds only seem to create an opening for Harris if Biden remains out of the limelight.
The grand display of their two-for-one strategy was recently showcased with Biden’s announcement of returns from a controversial prisoner swap, a rare moment of unity with Harris. While Biden gave the speech, it was clear this was Harris’s moment to claim some of the glory, showcasing a finely tuned choreography of appearances that allows the Vice President to shine. However, whether the fading guy in the back can help save this dog-and-pony show remains to be seen.
As the Democratic National Convention prepares to shift further into Harris’s hands, Biden will be relegated to an earlier speaking slot. This adds a layer of irony to a leader who once wielded significant power. The Democrats’ efforts to shift the bulk of the campaigning to Harris, while respecting the “dignity” of Biden’s past achievements, is an uphill battle that seems primarily aimed at saving face rather than securing robust victory. As history rolls on, it’s clear that the fate of the Democratic ticket may very well rest on how well they can hide the faded visage of Joe Biden while trying to sell Kamala Harris as the future.
