Democratic Representative Ro Khanna openly declares Biden’s condition made him unfit to run for reelection as Jake Tapper’s upcoming book reveals shocking details about the former President’s health.
At a Glance
- Rep. Ro Khanna admits it’s “obvious now” that former President Biden was “not in a condition to run” for reelection
- Jake Tapper’s new book “Original Sin” reveals Biden’s staff discussed using a wheelchair and details incidents of disorientation
- Top Democrats like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries dodge direct questions about Biden’s fitness following the revelations
- Tapper accuses Democrats of running a “smear campaign” against journalists who reported on Biden’s decline
- Khanna calls for Democrats to “rebuild trust” through honesty about the party’s mistake
Democrat Breaks Ranks on Biden’s Fitness
Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) has publicly admitted what many suspected but few Democrats have acknowledged: President Joe Biden was not fit to run for reelection. In a stark departure from party messaging, Khanna declared that Democrats must be forthright about their error in allowing Biden to pursue another term. His comments come as CNN anchor Jake Tapper prepares to release a bombshell book detailing Biden’s cognitive decline and what Tapper describes as a coordinated cover-up by Biden’s inner circle and Democratic elites.
Khanna’s admission stands in sharp contrast to how other high-ranking Democrats have responded to questions about Biden’s mental fitness. When confronted with the allegations from Tapper’s upcoming book, both House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sidestepped direct questions about whether they were aware of Biden’s condition, instead pivoting to policy matters and future concerns.
President Biden is doubling down on his refusal to bow out of the 2024 race. In a letter to House Democrats on Monday, the Democratic nominee said he would continue his reelection bid despite concerns about his health and ability to beat former President Trump. His remarks come…
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) July 9, 2024
Tapper’s Book Reveals Alarming Details
Tapper’s book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,” is scheduled for release on May 20. Co-authored with Alex Thompson and based on more than 200 interviews, the book claims to offer an inside look at Biden’s deteriorating health and the efforts to conceal it from the American public. Among the most disturbing revelations are discussions among Biden’s staff about possibly using a wheelchair for the president and an incident where Biden allegedly failed to recognize actor George Clooney.
Penguin Press, the publisher of Tapper’s book, describes Biden’s decision to seek reelection as “narcissistic, self-delusional, and reckless.” The book also reportedly criticizes Democrats for orchestrating what Tapper calls a “smear campaign” against Wall Street Journal reporters who documented Biden’s decline, suggesting a coordinated effort to undermine press integrity and mislead the public about Biden’s condition.
Calls for Honesty and Open Primaries
Khanna has gone beyond merely acknowledging Biden’s unfitness for office. He has called for a fundamental reassessment of how the Democratic Party selects its candidates, advocating for open primaries that would allow for genuine debate about leadership direction. This position represents a significant challenge to the party establishment that lined up behind Biden despite mounting evidence of his decline.
Biden’s disastrous debate performance on June 27 brought his cognitive issues into full public view, eventually leading to his withdrawal from the race in July. This late-stage scramble for a replacement candidate has been cited as a contributing factor to Democratic losses in November. Khanna’s frank assessment suggests that the party’s reluctance to confront Biden’s condition earlier has damaged its credibility with voters.
While Khanna acknowledged that Biden “appeared coherent” in their limited interactions, he now concedes that based on Tapper’s reporting and other evidence, it is “obvious” that Biden was not in a condition to seek another term. His call for Democrats to be “honest with people about our party’s mistake” represents one of the most direct challenges yet to the party’s handling of Biden’s candidacy and eventual replacement.
