A rising tide of Democrats is beginning to publicly question their party's handling of the last election cycle. Many are acknowledging that President Joe Biden’s delayed withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race may have caused significant damage. Furthermore, some party members are reconsidering their previous dismissal of concerns regarding Biden’s age and mental acuity. This introspection is fueled by the release of a new book titled “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which attributes much of the party's electoral defeat to aides who allegedly concealed the extent of Biden's decline.
Former president Biden and his supporters are vocally rejecting the claims made in the book. However, the resurgence of questions surrounding his mental fitness, along with Biden's public responses to these allegations, has sent ripples of concern through a Democratic Party still reeling from the November loss to Donald Trump. Notably, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California), a prior supporter of Biden's reelection campaign, candidly admitted in a statement to The Washington Post that he had been mistaken in backing the former president. “In my few interactions at public events, I found him coherent and proud of his record, but it is now painfully obvious he should not have run,” Khanna stated. He emphasized the need for the party to acknowledge this truth in order to rebuild trust with the American people.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who is considered a potential candidate for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, echoed Khanna's thoughts. In an interview, he suggested that Biden should have ended his reelection bid sooner than July. “In retrospect, if the president was going to drop out, dropping out earlier would have given any candidate a little more time,” Beshear remarked. He further indicated that Democrats could have improved their chances had then-Vice President Kamala Harris established clearer distinctions from Biden during the campaign.
This internal conflict arises at a challenging moment for the Democratic Party, which perceives a shift in political dynamics favoring them after the initial months of Trump’s presidency. Democratic leaders are now focusing on a Republican spending bill that they argue will significantly cut Medicaid and the economic uncertainties stemming from Trump’s tariffs. They stress that Biden, who departed from office just four months ago, is not the party's candidate for the 2024 election and is unlikely to run again.
However, some Democrats insist that party leaders must openly admit that Biden should never have pursued reelection. They believe that such transparency is crucial for regaining voter trust, especially as public sentiment towards the Democratic Party remains shaky despite growing dissatisfaction with Trump. Khanna had previously defended Biden in February 2024, following a special counsel report that chose not to prosecute him for mishandling classified documents, citing a jury's potential perception of the president as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” Khanna expressed his belief that Biden was mentally sharp during their recent interactions, yet the rising critiques have cast doubt.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who once ran against Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary, indicated that the party might have fared better had Biden chosen not to run. “With the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that’s the case,” Buttigieg stated to reporters. He emphasized the need for the party to prepare for upcoming challenges rather than dwell on past decisions.
The book “Original Sin” features various anecdotes, including an instance where Biden reportedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney, a longtime acquaintance, during a June 2024 meeting, raising further concerns about his cognitive state. A spokesperson for Biden’s office dismissed the authors’ claims, stating that they had not fact-checked the book with them and were awaiting evidence of any failure on Biden's part to fulfill his presidential duties. They asserted that the evidence suggests he was an effective president.
In recent public appearances, including interviews on BBC News and ABC’s The View, Biden has defended his record while criticizing Trump’s presidency. Some Democrats worry that such visibility may inadvertently serve Trump’s narrative of using Biden as a political target. Nevertheless, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), the second-ranking Senate Democrat, noted that Biden's desire to defend himself against frequent Trump attacks is a natural response to the ongoing criticisms.
Former chair of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison, criticized those Democrats who are now second-guessing Biden's decisions, labeling it disloyalty for political gain. He acknowledged Biden's age but reiterated that the former president had gone through the necessary processes. Harrison argued that had others chosen to run against Biden, the outcome might have been different, and warned against opportunism in hindsight.
As many Democratic leaders aim to shift the narrative away from past mistakes, they emphasize the importance of focusing on the future, particularly in preparation for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. When questioned about Biden's limitations, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) refrained from providing a direct answer, reiterating that the party is looking forward. Dick Harpootlian, former chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, criticized those who pressured Biden to withdraw without having a clear plan for succession.
As the Democratic Party grapples with its internal conflicts and the implications of Biden's presidency, the reflections of various party members on his leadership and decisions will likely shape the future of the party. With the 2028 election looming, potential candidates will be scrutinized for their past views on Biden’s capabilities and the choices they made during his tenure. As the party seeks to navigate these turbulent waters, it will need to balance accountability with a clear vision for the future.
