First Lady Jill Biden’s Growing Influence Amid President Biden’s Mental Health Concerns and 2024 Election Strategy
(Yahoo)
Recent surveys indicating public concern over President Joe Biden’s mental health have brought to light the significant role played by First Lady Jill Biden in the administration. Despite not publicly acknowledging it, Jill Biden is reportedly deeply involved in her husband’s presidency.
Jill Biden’s influence includes participating in the selection of administration officials, attending meetings, and shielding the President from taxing events. This level of involvement, particularly in basic presidential tasks, has led insiders to speculate about underlying issues with the President’s capabilities.
RadarOnline reports that Jill Biden’s influence is becoming more visible as she frequently appears at public events and is expected to be a key figure in the 2024 election campaign. Her encouragement for her husband to seek a second term and her significant impact on his decision-making process are noted. As a career educator, she brings valuable insights to educational policy debates and connects with suburban voters, especially women.
The Guardian has previously reported that Jill is “running the show” behind the scenes:
Behind the scenes, First Lady Jill Biden might be running the show. In an interview with David Muir, President Biden was asked about a second run, and he joked, “I gotta call [Jill] and find out.” He was kidding, but there is some truth behind his wife’s influence. A former senior adviser told Politico, “She is always his final gut check.” As of April 2023, the president officially made his re-election bid. He released a campaign video where his wife can be spotted embracing the vice president, speaking out, and politicking on the campaign trail.
A former advisor to the Head of State shared, “She is usually in the room when senior campaign staff is presenting a strategy to her husband. She will ask questions. But she never weighs in on the decision.”
Amidst this, Democrats are growing increasingly concerned about President Biden as he faces declining poll numbers, questions about cognitive impairment, and the legal troubles of his son, Hunter Biden. Douglas MacKinnon, a political and communications consultant, raised the possibility in The Hill that Democrats might consider approaching Jill Biden to persuade the President not to run for reelection, given the challenges facing his presidency and the Democratic Party.
MacKinnon’s column reflects a growing sentiment among Democrats and left-leaning journalists about the need for alternative candidates for the 2024 election. He suggests that Jill Biden, given her close relationship with the President and her influence, might be the key figure in deciding whether Joe Biden will run for a second term. According to MacKinnon, while conservatives and Republicans might prefer Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, many Democrats are hoping for an open nomination process involving candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
MacKinnon posits that Jill Biden could be the decisive factor in shaping the Democratic Party’s approach to the 2024 presidential nomination, potentially influencing whether President Biden seeks reelection.
