David Axelrod is the tip of the spear: Jittery Dems may be using ex Obama advisor as cover to get anti-Biden message across
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic power brokers might be employing former President Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod to promulgate an anti-Biden message, aiming to persuade him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race due to recent polling setbacks.
Tensions between the Biden and Obama teams came to the forefront when Axelrod, a close political adviser to the former president, openly suggested that President Biden should consider stepping aside for the sake of the country.
David Axelrod's escalating criticism
Axelrod's critique gained prominence as he ramped up his criticism of President Biden, recommending that he needs to "get out or get going."
The escalation in Axelrod's disapproval was fueled by a Politico report alleging that Biden referred to Axelrod as a "prick" for making negative comments about his re-election strategy.
In an interview with CNN, Axelrod, known for his role in Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns, expressed his concerns about Biden's viability in the 2024 election.
Referencing a New York Times/Siena College poll showing voters favoring Donald Trump in crucial swing states, Axelrod asserted that the polling results should spark "legitimate concern" among Democrats.
He pointed out the risk associated with changing course so close to the primary campaign deadline but emphasized the abundance of leadership talent within the Democratic Party.
"The stakes of miscalculation here are too dramatic to ignore," Axelrod stated. "Only Joe Biden can make this decision. If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?"
While Axelrod clarified that he had not explicitly called for Biden to drop out, he defended his comments, stating, "Either get out or get going."
He told CNN, "Listen, I understand he was irritated because I raised concerns that many, many Democrats had. And again, you know, my feeling is either get out or get going."
Highlighting the gravity of the upcoming election, Axelrod stressed that "the stakes are so high" as Biden would likely face Trump. "It's a fundamental question as to what American democracy is going to look like the day after the next election," he said.
"So the stakes are very high. He knows that. What I think he needs, he needs to take a sober look at the whole landscape. And yes, he's committed to moving forward. I get that, he ought to, but he ought to then look at what his campaign is doing and what they need to do, and get out of this sort of referendum frame and go after Donald Trump every day because Donald Trump will be the nominee of the Republican Party."
Democratic party dynamics
The interaction between the Biden and Obama teams has always been characterized by tension, according to sources from both camps. Although strain exists, there is also acknowledgment of respect and support.
Considering this, Axelrod's views do not represent the entirety of the Obama team, and the tensions between the two camps have been an enduring aspect.
A former staffer from the Biden 2020 campaign told The Hill, “Prior to [Axelrod’s] comments, there was always tension between the staff at all levels. There’s a tension there between the two camps, for sure, that has always existed,” said a former staffer for the Biden 2020 campaign.
Describing the dynamic between Obama and Biden aides, a former Obama administration aide explained to the outlet that the tension is a result of an Obama White House with "sharp elbows" and an inner circle that was "difficult to penetrate" for Biden's team.
The source elaborated on the dynamics, stating, “You’ve got lots of egos, and so there is the warmup folks and then the main show. The undercard and the main event. There’s always that dynamic between the presidency and the vice presidency staff."
Axelrod's ability to get under Biden's skin is not new, given his active presence on social media and cable television. His role as a political analyst is reflected in his willingness to offer tough criticism of his own party. This time, Axelrod's comments might be indicative of the underlying sentiment within the Democratic Party ranks.
The catalyst for Axelrod's comments was the New York Times/Siena poll that projected Trump winning more than 300 Electoral College votes, surpassing the 270 votes needed to become president.
Conducted among 3,662 registered voters in six key states from October 22 to November 3, 2023, the poll indicated a margin of sampling error between 4.4 and 4.8 percentage points for each state.
Subsequent polls, such as the one from Stack Data Strategy reported by Politico, echoed concerns about Biden's electability. Even if Biden were to win the popular vote, the poll suggested that Trump would prevail in the Electoral College, with a margin of 292 to 246.
Voices of apprehension
Prominent Democrats, including Rep Pramila Jayapal and Rep Dean Phillips, have expressed concern about Biden's chances in 2024.
During a conversation with MSNBC host Jen Psaki, while not explicitly calling for his withdrawal, Jayapal pointed to the current Israel-Hamas conflict as a significant issue impacting voters and expressed her belief that the 2024 election is in "great trouble."
"I think it is important to recognize that we have a very divided country, as you well know. You have said that polls really don't reflect where people are. I agree with you. But I will tell you, this is the first time, Jen, that I have felt like the 2024 election is in great trouble, for the president and for our democratic control, which is essential to moving forward," Jayapal said.
"Because these young people, Muslim Americans, Arab Americans, but also young people, see this conflict as a moral conflict and a moral crisis. And they are not going to be brought back to the table easily with, you know, if we do not address this," Jayapal added.
In October, Rep Dean Phillips of Minnesota resigned from his position in House Democratic leadership over his party's support of Biden's 2024 reelection bid.
Phillips, who has consistently stated that he does not think Biden should run for reelection, explained his decision in October, saying, "My convictions relative to the 2024 presidential race are incongruent with the majority of my caucus, and I felt it appropriate to step aside from elected leadership."
Concerns surrounding Biden's candidacy have been circulating in private conversations among Democratic leaders for months. According to The Wall Street Journal, these conversations reveal a sense of concern that hangs over the race.
Former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine added his voice to the apprehension, stating that he does not support Biden.
Drawing an analogy, Levine said, "It is a little bit like your grandfather running the company, and you know that he's at a point now where the heirs could suffer value if we don't change management at the top."