Frustrations from within the Democratic Party are boiling over in the wake of the 2024 election, with Kamala Harris allies and top strategists placing the blame squarely on former President Joe Biden for Harris’ failed campaign. According to excerpts from Original Sin, a new book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, Biden’s decision to seek re-election despite signs of mental and physical decline threw the party into disarray.
David Plouffe, former Obama adviser and a senior figure in Harris’ campaign, didn’t hold back, calling the experience of running Harris’ campaign “a fing nightmare.” He directly blamed Biden, stating, “He totally fed us,” and described the situation as an “abomination.” Plouffe argued that Biden stole the election from the party by staying in too long and hurting their chances.
According to the book, Plouffe and others raised repeated concerns about Biden’s cognitive and physical capabilities in 2023 and 2024, only to be reassured by the White House that the then-president was still electable. Donors reportedly expressed worries about Biden’s public appearances and declining energy.
One former White House aide told the authors they ultimately left their post because they believed Biden shouldn’t have run again. “I love Joe Biden,” the aide said, “but it was a disservice to the country and to the party for his family and advisers to allow him to run again.”
Harris’ campaign reportedly began with momentum and a favorable “honeymoon” period, but her close ties to Biden’s presidency made it hard for her to chart her own course. As pressure mounted to release a platform and take on more public appearances, her inability to separate from Biden dragged her campaign into a dead heat.
The book also reveals Biden’s team considered placing him in a wheelchair after the election due to concerns about another fall. While his doctor acknowledged a stiffened gait, Biden’s team rejected claims that his condition required special treatment or affected his mental capacity.
A spokesperson for Biden defended the former president, insisting aging does not equate to incapacity. “Evidence of aging is not evidence of mental incapacity,” they stated. “He was a very effective president.”