The new memoir and promotional tour of former US First Lady Jill Biden have sparked renewed dissatisfaction among some members of the Democratic Party, who see the former First Lady as unnecessarily reopening the 2024 presidential campaign.
In her book, titled “A View from the East Wing,” Biden recounts her experience in the White House, and defends the decisions made by her husband, Joe Biden, during his re-election campaign, during which he was forced to withdraw from the elections for health reasons.
The Bidens, their aides, and the Democratic Party in general, faced backlash over their handling of the 2024 presidential campaign, when Joe Biden’s disastrous performance in a debate between him and President Donald Trump raised concerns about his age and mental abilities. He eventually withdrew from the race and announced his support for (then) Vice President Kamala Harris.
Jill Biden wrote in her book that when she asked her husband about his decision to withdraw, he answered her: “Jill, I had no other choice but to withdraw after pressure from the Democratic Party.”
Former White House spokesman Andrew Bates told the New York Post that he saw “no reason to reopen this painful party debate publicly at this particular time, as the Democratic Party prepares for the midterm elections.”
But Jill Biden responded to him, saying during her book promotion tour in Washington: “I want to say to Andrew: Call me. If anyone has something to say, say it to me face to face.”
The former First Lady of the White House added that the “political wounds” constitute a “small part” of her book, as only one chapter was devoted to them. However, critics believe that talking about the 2024 elections comes at an inappropriate time, as the party seeks to recover from the heavy loss, confront the Trump administration, and win enough seats in Congress to restore the majority.
In turn, the Biden family spokesman declined to comment, as did former White House spokesman Andrew Bates, and an informed source, who refused to provide further details, reported that Jill Biden had actually contacted Bates.
For her part, former assistant to Joe Biden in the White House, Megan Hayes, said on the “Ceasefire” program on C-SPAN that this current controversy over the 2024 elections is working to disperse the momentum that the Democrats have.
“When we return to discussions about age and the 2024 election, it will never be in the interests of Democrats,” Hayes added.
Regarding the 2024 campaign, Bates told the New York Post: “We had a duty to win, and we did not win, and I think about that constantly, and the reasons why we lost,” and added that he did not believe the book would influence the midterm elections.
Other Biden administration and campaign officials have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the way the first lady spoke about Bates, who is known for his steadfast defense of the Biden family. Biden’s chief aide during his election campaign and in the White House, Rob Flaherty, wrote on the X website: “I have a lot to say about this topic, but I will just say that I am incredibly disappointed in what I am hearing.”
The Biden family has returned to the media spotlight in recent weeks, as the former president’s son, Hunter Biden, recorded an interview with conservative broadcaster Candace Owens last May. During his speech on social media, he spoke about his drug addiction and how it had a devastating effect on him, but he was able to recover after undergoing treatment for several years.
During his wife’s promotional tour for her book, former US President Joe Biden announced that he was writing another memoir that would be published next September, and his spokesman, T. J. Ducklo later stated that the release date had not yet been set, and he also filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice to prevent the publication of recordings of interviews he conducted with a “shadow writer” who helped him write his memoirs.
However, the head of the Joe Biden Presidential Library Foundation, Rufus Gifford, considered it “ridiculous” for anyone to claim that the former first lady’s book would harm the Democrats’ momentum in the midterm elections, and Gifford described the book as an opportunity for Jill Biden to present her point of view, similar to what other former first ladies have done.
Gifford added: “Obviously I have great love for the Biden family, but I also think they should have the opportunity to tell their stories, and that is their ability.” About the Washington Post
• Biden’s wife defended her husband’s decisions during his re-election campaign.
• Joe Biden announced that he is writing another memoir, which will be published next September.
