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Following a challenging debate with Donald Trump that some believe marked a turning point in his presidency, Joe Biden made a controversial choice by skipping an important meeting with the congressional Progressive caucus. Instead, Biden opted for a photo session at Camp David with renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, a revelation from an upcoming book suggests.
Ron Klain, who served as Biden’s chief of staff, urgently advised the president to reconsider his plans. He emphasized the necessity of securing the support of influential progressive politicians to bolster Biden’s status as the Democratic nominee.
Klain remarked, “You need to stay in Washington. You need to have an aggressive plan to fight and to rally the troops.” Ultimately, Biden appeared to consent to Klain’s recommendations.
However, the president’s resolve seemed to wane, leading him to proceed with family photos at Camp David that weekend.
Though he later communicated with the progressive caucus via Zoom, reports indicate that Biden criticized their positions on Israel, asserting his progressive credentials were stronger than theirs, according to author Chris Whipple in his new book, Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History.
Klain, who held his position from 2021 to 2023, later took on the role of chief legal officer at Airbnb but returned to support Biden in preparing for his debates with Trump.
Concerns regarding Biden’s fitness for office became a recurring theme during his presidency. Klain expressed to Whipple that the preparations for the debate made him increasingly anxious about Biden’s physical and mental capabilities.
Yet Klain also pointed out that the issue extended beyond age-related concerns; it represented a deeper struggle for power within the Democratic Party. He observed that certain donors were growing impatient with Biden’s close ties to labor and were pushing for a leader with a more business-oriented approach.
The concern intensified after Biden’s debate performance, which many described as fraught with uncertainty. The day after the debate, Klain urged Biden to convene the progressive caucus, stressing the need to agree on a second-term agenda to ensure their endorsement and bolster his campaign.
Despite Klain’s insistence that absence from the meeting would hurt his standing, Biden reiterated his commitment to the Camp David photoshoot, indicating that his family was also urging him to continue in the race.
Klain’s frustration grew as he contacted his successor, Jeff Zients, to push for immediate engagement with the progressives, to which Zients responded with a more measured approach, citing an established plan and schedule.
As efforts continued to rally Democratic support, a Zoom meeting with the progressive caucus turned problematic, characterized by Biden’s stern comments that focused heavily on issues related to Gaza, much to the dissatisfaction of several caucus members, including Pramila Jayapal.
The subsequent exchanges led to frantic communications among Klain, Zients, and other aides, but ultimately, Biden’s decision to step down from the race on July 21 highlighted the ongoing pressure and turmoil within his team.
Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice-president, faced her own challenges in maintaining her nomination but eventually endured a competitive campaign that concluded without victory against Trump.
Despite the evident struggles and the criticisms aimed at Biden for prioritizing a family photoshoot over key political engagements, Klain maintained that Biden had the capability to win a second term. He later expressed confidence in Biden’s ongoing ability to lead effectively, reinforcing the notion that despite the political landscape’s volatility, there remained a belief in Biden’s potential for success.
Source
www.theguardian.com