Nine stars
Many posit that America entered a Greek tragedy during the 2024 presidential election, with a sitting leader who was obviously not fit to keep the reins of power trying to keep it for himself. Respected journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson write this stunning book that explores the hidden truths about Joe Biden’s mental failures and his determination to run for reelection in 2024. While it would be a Biden-Trump rematch, there were many within the Democratic Party who worried they were set to be pummeled, both for the White House and within Congress. This book pulls the curtain back and shows readers many of the fights on both sides of the argument, which was only resolved on July 21, 2024 when Biden agreed not to run and handed the torch to his vice-president, Kamala Harris. A book not to be missed, the authors nail it with this piece.
When Joe Biden launched his bid to become President of the United States in 2020, he felt that he was the only one who could defeat Donald Trump from putting a stranglehold on the country. Biden was successful, much to the chagrin of the Fabricator-in-Chief. This led Biden and those closest to him onto a pathway of invincibility, as if they were the only ones capable of keeping America on track. All this was terribly changed for the public during a debate between Trump and Biden on June 27, 2024 in the early stages of the 2024 presidential campaign. Biden was in serious trouble, his mental acuity having been questioned by many months before, though they were dismissed by Biden’s inner circle. Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson write that these revelations should not have been shocking, as they pull back the curtain and posit what likely should have happened and how Biden ought to have been a bridge to a new Democrat era, as he promised all along.
Tapper and Thompson reveal many of the situations in which President Biden and those closest to him sought to hide th mental shortcomings, putting him in a position to tank the Democratic Party’s chance at defending the country from another Trump term of lies, deception, and dictatorial rule. Poignant vignettes emerge to show that many were worried about Biden’s actions, not only to lead, but to function in general, as far back as mid-2023. Biden’s decision not to hand over the reins ahead of a 2024 campaign made for some tough calls and paved a path for indecisiveness, fractures in the base, and scrambling once Biden did choose to stand aside on July 21st.
The authors argue throughout that Democrats could have had a fruitful primary season, allowing many candidates to sharpen their swords and prepare for a new era. The likes of Kamala Harris might have been better prepared and been able to effectively strategise an independent campaign, rather than having to slay the Biden shadows. It might also have ensured donations and direction were plentiful early on, rather than slapping something together. In essence, it was a failure of the Democrats to act, preferring to push gently and walk on eggshells, thereby doing disservice to members of the Democratic Party and America more generally.
There is no doubt that the lack of a worthy candidate to clash with the Republicans led directly to Donald Trump’s return to power, though one would be an fool to think that his lies and deception did not also help muddy the waters. The 2024 presidential election could have been a much more lively affair, allowing Trump to go down to defeat twice successively, his Russian puppet masters unable to deceive as they did in 2016. Alas, it is now time to watch and wait, as America tests despotic rule and a complete disregard for constitutional supremacy. At least I will get some good reading out of this!
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson deliver a wondering depiction of something I felt as it was happening. Biden’s irresponsible choice to run again put pride before American needs, which surely led to the downfall of a successful and effective 2024 campaign. The authors lay blame across the spectrum and ensure the reader has a lot of great intel to make their own choice. There is no way to know if a different and properly prepared candidate would have defeated the Trump Locomotive of Lies, but it surely would have made for a better buildup to that fateful November night. A brilliant piece by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson that is a must read by anyone who loves political analysis.
Kudos, Messrs. Tapper and Thompson, for your insightful look into this disastrous period of presidential politics.
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