New Book Reveals Biden Aides Feared Wheelchair Use, Discusses Kamala Harris's Campaign

Concerns Over Biden's Physical Condition

• 📚 A new book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson reveals that Biden's aides feared he might need a wheelchair during the 2023-2024 period.
• ⚠️ Aides reportedly took precautions such as planning shorter walking paths, insisting on handrails, and changing visual briefings to ensure Biden knew his expected movements.
• 🩺 Biden's physician, Kevin Oconor, is cited as stating that the President could face a difficult recovery if he were to fall again.

The "Lie" About Biden's Mobility

• 💡 The book reportedly highlights that Biden's team claimed his walking difficulties were due to an incompletely healed foot fracture.
• 🩺 However, the authors state Biden's doctor confirmed that any small foot fractures were completely healed, suggesting a discrepancy.
• 🗣️ One media writer questioned the focus on the wheelchair, suggesting it could stigmatize disability, a point disputed by the hosts.

Presidential Capacity and Physical Demands

• 🏛️ The hosts debated whether physical condition, including the need for a wheelchair, impacts a president's capacity to govern.
• 🧠 The argument was made that while a wheelchair itself doesn't prevent international travel or job performance (citing FDR and Greg Abbott), the concern for Biden was mental acuity, particularly highlighted by a past debate.
• ⚠️ It was argued that a president's physical condition can bear on their ability to perform the demanding duties of the office, especially in modern times.

Kamala Harris's Campaign Frustrations

• 😩 A top campaign aide to Kamala Harris, David Pluff, is quoted in the book expressing frustration, feeling that Biden's decision to run again "totally effed us."
• 🏃 Pluff described Harris's 107-day campaign sprint as an "effing nightmare."
• 📉 The hosts expressed skepticism about the idea that Harris's campaign was too short, suggesting her political career hasn't shown that more of her makes people more likely to vote for her.
• 🎯 It was suggested that if Harris had more time, she might have been able to replace Biden's campaign team, who were allegedly trying to cover up their own complicity and gave her bad advice by not encouraging her to separate herself from Biden.