The Biden family played a crucial role in shaping the future of the Democratic ticket on Sunday. After what many called the worst presidential debate performance in history, President Joe Biden hunkered down with his family at Camp David to discuss his reelection campaign.
Jill Biden: The Convincing Force
Insiders close to the 81-year-old president say there’s only one person who can persuade him to step aside – Jill Biden, his wife. She was the key figure who convinced him to pursue a second term in the first place.
Hunter Biden’s Strong Advocacy
However, it was Hunter Biden who emerged as the “strongest voice” advocating for the president to remain in the race, according to The New York Times.
President Biden often refers to Hunter as the “smartest man” he knows and takes his support seriously as the president and his inner circle seek to pacify nervous Democrats:
Mr. Biden has been soliciting ideas from advisers about how to proceed, and his staff has been discussing whether he should hold a news conference or sit for interviews to defend himself and change the narrative, but nothing has been decided yet. The campaign scheduled what could be a critical call with its national finance committee for Monday to calm nerves and take temperatures.
One of the strongest voices imploring Mr. Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice, said one of the people informed about the discussions, who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations. Hunter Biden wants Americans to see the version of his father that he knows — scrappy and in command of the facts — rather than the stumbling, aging president Americans saw on Thursday night.
Other family members were trying to figure out how they could be helpful. At least one of the president’s grandchildren has expressed interest in getting more involved with the campaign, perhaps by talking with influencers on social media, according to the informed person.
One of the people informed about the situation said “the entire family is united” and added flatly that the president was not getting out of the race and had not discussed doing so. “You get up and keep fighting,” the person said.
Support Beyond the Family
The Biden family’s unity is part of a broader support network. Democratic Party leaders and sympathetic media personalities have blamed the debate format and the president’s advisers for not preparing him adequately.
Others took a slightly different tact. During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Nancy Pelosi claimed that health care professionals had actually diagnosed Trump as the candidate with dementia, although she had a senior moment herself during the appearance.
Pelosi’s Momentary Glitch
Pelosi herself stumbled while defending Biden’s record, despite his disastrous debate performance in Atlanta.
Democratic Party’s Strategic Calculations
Privately, the Democratic Party establishment seems to acknowledge that Biden’s decision to step down would only happen with his agreement, which appears unlikely given his family’s firm support. According to The Hill, Senate Democrats are resigned to the fact that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a weaker general election candidate than Biden.
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