A leaked recording of Joe Biden’s former chief of staff and one of his closest confidants ranting about the president’s communications has been leaked. This was the latest indication that Democrats were panicking about the possibility of Donald Trump winning the November election.
Ronald Klain was unaware that he had been recorded during a private gathering where he launched an obscenity-filled critique of the president. He claimed that Biden’s focus was on “accomplishments”, not what Americans cared about.
“I think the president is out there too much talking about bridges,” Klain said, according to audio exclusively obtained by Politico. “He does two or three events a week where he’s cutting a ribbon on a bridge. And here’s a bridge. Like, I tell you, if you go into the grocery store, you go to the grocery store and, you know, eggs and milk are expensive, the fact that there’s a fucking bridge is not [inaudible].”
“He’s not a congressman. He’s not running for Congress,” said Klain. “I think it’s kind of a fool’s errand. I think that [it] also doesn’t get covered that much because, look, it’s a fucking bridge. Like it’s a bridge, and how interesting is the bridge? It’s a little interesting but it’s not a lot interesting.”
Klain’s argument is at least superficially correct. I apologize for being the first conservative to say it. Biden’s main campaign strategy is to fly short distances to Midwestern states, where he repeatedly gives the same speech to union workers in an attempt to claim credit for federally funded infrastructure projects.
Do you care if a Pennsylvania bridge is opened? If you are a hard-working American who struggles to pay your bills as the cost of living continues to rise, would you be interested in a new bridge in Pennsylvania? Do you find it impressive that taxpayer dollars are being used to pay unions, who in turn will pour a lot of money into Biden’s campaign? Does this make your life easier? Biden looks like a narcissist who is out of touch.
Klain’s analysis has two problems. Biden can be so out of touch that he thinks he is running for Congress on any given day.
BIDEN: “Pennsylvania, I have a message for you: send me to Congress!” 😬 pic.twitter.com/5LHZ4hVTb2
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 9, 2024
Klain’s second analysis assumes that a simple change in messaging can transform Biden’s fortunes. This seems to be less likely. What will he do? Blogging about the border crisis? Multiple wars broke out under his watch. The interest rates are so high, that no one can afford a house? Prices have risen by nearly 20 percent since his election.
He knows that spending his time on infrastructure projects won’t work, but there’s no other option. This is not to say that Biden cannot win the election. I’ve worked in the industry long enough to realize that negative partisanship can be a powerful drug. Things can change dramatically. But it won’t be due to anything Biden does. Klain could just as easily demand that the president fly.
