A new book titled “Original Sin,” penned by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, dives into former President Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s mental and physical decline during his time in office. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the book sheds light on how Biden’s aides and top Democrats managed discussions surrounding his age and health, often downplaying internal concerns and external criticism. With Biden now 82, the narrative isn’t filled with groundbreaking revelations but rather a mosaic of smaller incidents illustrating a troubling decline.
The authors detail numerous instances where Biden struggled to remember the names of key aides and allies, including Mike Donilon and Jake Sullivan, reflecting a growing concern about his cognitive abilities. For example, Biden confusing his health secretary, Xavier Becerra, with his homeland security counterpart, Alejandro Mayorkas, during crucial meetings raises alarms about his fitness for the presidency.
Despite the serious nature of these revelations, much of the evidence in the book relies heavily on unnamed sources, creating a barrier to fully verify claims. On-record comments from aides and political figures remain largely absent, leading to a sense of unease among Democrats who continue to hesitate in publicly discussing Biden’s limitations, even after the party’s recent electoral defeats. This reluctance hints at an ongoing fear in the Democratic Party regarding their choice to back Biden as their nominee in subsequent elections.
The book reveals a tendency among Biden’s inner circle to avoid confronting the issue of his diminishing abilities openly. While some, like Secretary of State Antony Blinken, briefly questioned Biden’s readiness for another term, concerns often went unaddressed. Particularly striking is the insight that leading Democrats failed to voice doubts about Biden’s readiness, underscoring either a significant misjudgment of the situation or a deliberate choice to sidestep contentious discussions.
Further complicating the landscape is a culture of blame-shifting among Biden’s allies. Many of those interviewed expressed frustration with Biden’s decisions, referring to his close advisers as “the Politburo,” a term highlighting the perceived insularity and control within his administration. This dynamic has left even prominent Democrats like former campaign manager David Plouffe voicing frustration while seeming to absolve themselves of responsibility for Biden’s political missteps.
Outsiders who recently encountered Biden, including former colleagues and donors, expressed shock at his physical and cognitive state. Notably, George Clooney publicly urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy, reflecting a growing unease shared even among close allies.
Behind the scenes, one Democrat, Bill Daley, reportedly attempted to rally support for a primary challenge to Biden, reaching out to prominent governors such as Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker, though these discussions yielded no challengers.
Ultimately, the book portrays a protective dynamic between Biden and his family, particularly First Lady Jill Biden, who has become more involved in her husband’s decision-making and has actively shut down discussions regarding his health. As the Democratic Party looks ahead, grappling with Biden’s future as a candidate may prompt deeper introspection about its leadership and direction, especially with calls for generational change growing louder.
“Original Sin,” set to release next Tuesday, offers a candid yet unsettling look into the challenges facing Biden’s administration as it navigates the complexities of the upcoming election season.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/biden-book-takeaways.html
Category : Biden, Joseph R Jr,Presidential Election of 2024,Democratic Party,United States Politics and Government,Tapper, Jake,Thompson, Alex (Journalist)
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Publish Date: 2025-05-14 05:04:00
