President Joe Biden’s debate preparation schedule has come under scrutiny following a report by The New York Times. The report reveals that Biden’s prep sessions never started before 11 a.m. and always included time for an afternoon nap. This revelation comes in the wake of Biden’s lackluster debate performance, which has sparked concern among Democrats and political analysts.
In the six days leading up to the debate, Biden’s team adjusted his schedule to accommodate his need for rest. Sources close to the president, including current and former aides, donors, and political advisors, noted that Biden appeared increasingly confused and listless in recent months. Despite the White House’s insistence that Biden is in good physical and cognitive shape, these observations have raised questions about his readiness and stamina.
During the debate, Biden’s performance was marked by moments of incoherence, where he trailed off mid-sentence and struggled to string together coherent thoughts. His team decided to cut his debate preparation short by two days, citing exhaustion from a hectic travel schedule that included several trips to Europe. Biden spent those days resting at his home in Delaware, while his aides maintained that his preparations at Camp David were thorough.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates defended the late-morning start times, stating that the president was working well before 11 a.m. after exercising. Bates also mentioned that the White House physician saw no reason to reevaluate Biden for Parkinson’s disease as of Tuesday. However, the White House did not respond to further requests for comment from Business Insider.
Comparisons have been drawn to former President Barack Obama’s rigorous debate preparation schedule in 2012, which was more structured and demanding. Obama’s team ensured he was well-prepared for his second debate after a poor initial performance against Mitt Romney. In contrast, Biden’s more relaxed schedule has raised eyebrows and fueled concerns about his ability to handle the demands of the presidency.
Sources close to Biden have observed a fluctuation in his mental agility. At times, he is sharp and focused on national security issues, while at other times, he mixes up basic facts, such as confusing the countries of France and Italy. During a recent visit to Normandy for a D-Day event, opinions were divided on Biden’s capacity to serve. Some attendees, like 98-year-old honoree Bill Casassa, felt that Biden appeared fragile and not in charge. Others, like Marvin E. Gilmore Jr., who is nearly 100 years old, saw no signs of frailty in the president.
The report also highlights incidents where Biden appeared confused or lost the thread of conversations. These incidents included misspeaking about military aid to Ukraine, freezing up at a Juneteenth event, and forgetting the name of his own Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas. These moments have contributed to the growing concern about Biden’s cognitive abilities.
Biden’s debate performance against former President Donald Trump in CNN’s first presidential debate has led to panic among Democrats and members of Biden’s inner circle. Some allies in the media and politics have called on Biden to drop out of the race. Following the debate, Biden’s poll numbers dropped, giving Trump a wider lead. CNN political analyst Carl Bernstein revealed that several people close to Biden had been concerned about his cognitive decline for more than a year.
The White House has also faced questions about the involvement of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in the president’s preparations. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Hunter Biden was present during a meeting with advisers to prepare for a speech. This revelation has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing concerns about Biden’s performance and decision-making process.
The Biden family’s close-knit nature means that major decisions, including those involving the president’s political future, are often made collectively. First Lady Jill Biden has publicly insisted that her husband is not dropping out of the 2024 race, despite the growing calls for him to step aside.
The New York Times report has painted a troubling picture of Biden’s mental and physical state in the weeks leading up to the debate. Insiders close to the administration and campaign have noted that Biden has appeared confused or listless at times, even as he remains sharp and engaged on most occasions. Republicans have seized on these moments, using edited videos to attack Biden’s age and fitness.
Biden’s European trips were a mixed bag, with moments of sharpness and occasional confusion. European officials were reportedly shocked by a noticeable decline in Biden’s physical state since the previous fall. Some European leaders have privately expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to handle adversaries like Vladimir Putin.
The most shocking revelation in the report concerns Biden’s debate preparation schedule. The late-morning start times and daily naps have raised questions about the president’s stamina and readiness. Biden’s surrogates have blamed his poor performance on bad strategy, calling him “over-coached” and “over-practiced.”
As the campaign continues, the debate over Biden’s fitness for office is likely to intensify. The president’s team will need to address these concerns head-on to reassure voters and maintain support within the Democratic Party. The upcoming months will be crucial in determining whether Biden can overcome these challenges and secure a second term in office.
Source: The New York Times, Business Insider, CNN
