Biden aides reveal the president is only ‘dependably engaged’ for a few hours each day
Joe Biden’s aides have revealed that the aging president is alternately alert and utterly confused, but is only “always engaged” for a few hours a day.
Biden’s performance in Thursday’s presidential debate shocked many in the Democratic party with his disjointed answers and apparent disorientation.
But White House staff told Axios that they were not surprised and that it was common knowledge within his inner circle that there were apparently two versions of the president.
The first version, they said, is confident and focused, while the second seems confused, tired and old.
White House aides told the newspaper that Biden is only “reliably engaged” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day and outside these times he is more likely to be mistaken or appear lost.
White House aides told Axios they were not surprised by Biden’s performance at the debate, and that it was common knowledge within his inner circle that there were two versions of the president
During Thursday’s 90-minute debate, Biden repeatedly appeared to lose his train of thought and struggle to finish sentences.
Afterwards, Biden himself said: ‘I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I no longer speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to.’
His actions caused panic among Democrats, with Barack Obama’s former key adviser David Axelrod saying there was a “sense of shock” in the party and that there would be “discussions about whether he (Biden) should continue’.
However, some aides told Axios they were not surprised by his performance and had concerns about whether the president was fit for another term.
They reported that his limitations and mistakes are well known in the White House. Many referred to the feeling that there are two presidents: one competent and one old and confused.
They said which Biden you get at any given time depends on a number of factors, including the time of day.
Biden is “always active” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and many of his events take place during those hours, they told Axios.
They told the outlet that Biden is only “reliably engaged” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day and outside of these times he is more likely to be mistaken or appear lost.
In contrast, Thursday’s debate started at 9 p.m.
Outside those hours, Biden is more likely to become tired, confused or choke, they said.
They also said that he is worse when he travels abroad and tires more easily.
In response, White House spokesman Andrew Bates told Axios that “there is one Joe Biden.”
He added: ‘[He] He is passionate about helping families like the one he grew up with in Scranton, and through his determination, experience and decency he consistently achieves unprecedented results for them.’