Quick Hit:

Frank Miele of RealClearPolitics questions who orchestrated the downfall of President Joe Biden following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, suggesting a deliberate effort to replace him as the Democratic nominee.

Key Details:

• Biden’s June 27 debate performance raised concerns about his cognitive abilities.
• Despite negative media coverage, Biden remained competitive in national polls.
• Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the race on July 13 sparked speculation of a planned political coup.

Diving Deeper:

In a recent op-ed, Frank Miele of RealClearPolitics examines the political upheaval that led to President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Miele asserts that Biden’s disastrous performance in the June 27 debate against Donald Trump was a key turning point. Despite accusations of senility and unpreparedness, Biden managed to stay within the margin of error in national polls, indicating he still had significant support among the electorate.

Miele points to the curious timing of Biden’s debate with Trump, which occurred nearly two months before the Democratic National Convention, as highly unusual. Typically, such debates are held closer to the election, in September. This early debate, according to Miele, provided the Democrats a chance to replace Biden with a stronger candidate if needed.

"Someone talked Biden into challenging Trump to a debate so early that it provided the only viable path to supplanting Biden as the Democratic nominee," Miele writes. He suggests that those closest to Biden might have been aware of his declining cognitive abilities and used the early debate to expose his weaknesses to the public.

Adding to the intrigue, Miele highlights the role of Robert Hur, the special counsel who investigated Biden for his possession of classified documents. Hur’s decision not to prosecute Biden, citing his poor memory, might have signaled to Democratic insiders that Biden’s mental state could become a liability.

Miele argues that while Biden continued to campaign and fend off minimal opposition, top Democrats likely had contingency plans to replace him. These plans seemingly culminated on June 27, when Trump’s debate performance effectively ended Biden’s candidacy.

The op-ed calls for investigative journalists, like Seymour Hersh, to uncover the truth behind Biden’s withdrawal and the forces at play. Miele suggests that the mainstream media is unlikely to challenge the narrative of Biden as a hero for stepping down, leaving the task to independent journalists.

In summary, Miele’s commentary raises significant questions about the political maneuvering within the Democratic Party and the events leading up to Biden’s withdrawal. As the nation heads towards a critical election, the answers to these questions remain crucial for understanding the full scope of this political drama.