{"id":2318559,"date":"2024-08-03T07:39:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-03T11:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-recedes-to-the-background-of-his-white-house-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-03T07:45:54","modified_gmt":"2024-08-03T11:45:54","slug":"biden-recedes-to-the-background-of-his-white-house-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-recedes-to-the-background-of-his-white-house-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden recedes to the background of his White House &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbiden-recedes-to-the-background-of-his-white-house-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2318559&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Since President \u2063Joe Biden announced he would not\u200b seek a\u200d second term\u200c in the 2024 presidential\u200c race, he \u200dhas taken a backseat as Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Over the past \u200ctwo weeks,\u200c Biden has minimized his public appearances, opting for a supporting role in the campaign, primarily to help Harris energize voters\u200d and donors as she sets her sights on becoming the first woman president. This shift aims\u200c to create \u200da clear distinction between Harris\u200c and Biden, as the party \u200cseeks to solidify\u2063 support against\u2064 a potential \u200creturn of former President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic \u200boperatives \u2064suggest \u200bthat Biden&#8217;s limited visibility is strategic, allowing Harris to build her own identity without overshadowing the president&#8217;s legacy. Republicans, however,\u200d have attempted to capitalize on\u2063 Biden&#8217;s absence \u200cby implying that it obscures concerns over \u200dhis age and capabilities. Despite the\u200c challenges, Biden&#8217;s \u2064recent public engagements have included notable diplomatic efforts, such as the\u2063 successful prisoner swap involving three Americans detained in Russia, which further highlighted his contributions as president.<\/p>\n<p>Harris has also \u200dstepped up\u200b to handle key state functions, including hosting Israeli Prime\u2064 Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underscoring the delicate balance the administration maintains. \u2064The dynamic between \u200bBiden and\u200b Harris is essential as they navigate the\u200c campaign landscape, seeking to maximize \u200bthe effectiveness \u200dof their \u2064respective \u2064roles while also addressing the public&#8217;s concerns about Biden&#8217;s leadership and age.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Biden steps off stage as Harris takes the spotlight<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1722157\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>WILMINGTON, Delaware &mdash;<\/strong> Since President Joe Biden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3064997\/joe-biden-bows-out-of-2024-presidential-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>bowed out<\/a> of the 2024 presidential race, he&rsquo;s faded into the background as his hand-picked successor takes on more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-proud-boys-indicted-on-conspiracy-charges-for-alleged-role-in-u-s-capitol-riot\/\" title=\"Two Proud Boys Indicted On Conspiracy Charges For Alleged Role In U.S. Capitol Riot\">official duties<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In the two weeks since he announced on social media he wouldn&rsquo;t seek a second term, Biden has held few public events. The commander in chief watched from the sidelines as the Democratic Party united behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3109044\/harris-secures-delegates-democratic-nomination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>new presumptive nominee<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The remarkable changing of the guard is unfolding because Democrats deemed it necessary to have a shot at stopping former President Donald Trump from returning to the White House. Biden, who said he chose saving democracy over &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3097208\/joe-biden-speech-2024-election-kamala-harris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>personal ambition<\/a>,&rdquo; not only became a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jane-fonda-demands-biden-shut-down-trump-pipelines\/\" title=\"Jane Fonda Demands Biden Shut Down Trump Pipelines\">lame-duck president<\/a> but took on a supporting role to his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-defector-emails-pipeline-to-obama-admin-seen-as-currency\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden Defector Emails: &#039;Pipeline&#039; to Obama Admin Seen as &#039;Currency&#039;\">vice president<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s fading into the sunset,&rdquo; one Democratic strategist told the <em>Washington Examiner.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Biden&rsquo;s retreat comes as Harris must create some distance from her boss as she reenergizes the party&rsquo;s voters and donors with the chance to make history as the first woman president. She&rsquo;s leaning into her pre-Washington resume as a California prosecutor who can stand up to Trump, a convicted felon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s a delicate tightrope of respecting Biden&rsquo;s legacy while keeping him out of the spotlight during the final months of the election due to his unpopularity and the public&rsquo;s concerns about his age and mental fitness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive for a campaign event at Girard College, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo\/Joe Lamberti)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Multiple veteran Democratic operatives told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the best way for the president to help his 2020 running mate is to simply stay out of the way.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Biden has accomplished more in four years than most presidents do in eight,&rdquo; one strategist claimed. &ldquo;He saved the country from COVID-19 and Donald Trump, but, respectfully, he needs to officially pass the torch. Voters must be able to equate Vice President Harris with all of the wins this administration has notched, and I feel like having him out on the stump for her could undermine those efforts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Republicans, in an attempt to slow Harris&rsquo;s surge in popularity, have levied new attacks of late claiming the vice president was looped in on an effort to obscure the seriousness of Biden&rsquo;s aging from voters. A second Democratic operative said that they believed that narrative would &ldquo;only pick up steam&rdquo; if the president remained in the public eye.<\/p>\n<p>A third Democratic operative suggested that any appearances Biden makes on the campaign trail might gloss over some of the self-inflicted wounds Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), have committed over the past two weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Vance&rsquo;s debut on the campaign trail earned him the particularly damning label from Democratic critics as &ldquo;weird.&rdquo; The tone and content of Trump&rsquo;s Wednesday appearance at a panel during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3106396\/trump-nabj-spar-black-journalists-harris-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>National Association of Black Journalists conference<\/a> in Chicago drew sharp criticism.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I love Joe Biden, but when he was the nominee, it was much easier for Trump to seem on the ball,&rdquo; a Democratic strategist told the <em>Washington Examiner.<\/em> &ldquo;But what we saw onstage Wednesday has Republicans regretting all those calls for cognitive tests for elected officials.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Harris campaign did not answer questions about whether Biden&rsquo;s time away from the public eye marked a conscious campaign strategy. The president does appear to be giving Harris plenty of room to spread her wings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He departed the White House on Friday for his private home in Wilmington, Delaware, where he will remain through Monday, and is expected to travel to Rehoboth Beach again in August, though White House officials have not yet announced that second trip to Delaware this month.<\/p>\n<p>The president has held only a smattering of noteworthy public events after deciding to bow out of seeking a second term. The first came during his official Oval Office address explaining his decision back on July 25. The second occurred last week, when he outlined three major proposed reforms to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p>His third, and arguably most important, public appearance was a two-for-one. Thursday afternoon, Biden announced the safe returns of three Americans, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kermasheva, from Russian captivity before greeting the three of them when they touched down on U.S. soil late Thursday night.&nbsp;Harris joined him on the tarmac to share in the celebration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greet reporter Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, following his release as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-attempt-to-mock-trump-after-prisoner-trade-with-russia-blows-up-in-his-face\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s Attempt to Mock Trump After Prisoner Trade With Russia Blows Up in His Face\">24-person prisoner swap<\/a> between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo\/Manuel Balce Ceneta)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>His questions from the press now are about Harris, such as who should be her running mate.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll let her work that out,&rdquo; Biden said Friday.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to her campaigning across the country, Harris has stepped up her official duties over the past two weeks. Most notably, the vice president served as the de facto head of state during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s visit to the United States, his first since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack.<\/p>\n<p>Harris <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/3100137\/harris-says-will-not-be-silent-gaza-suffering-meeting-netanyahu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>met separately<\/a> with Netanyahu at the White House. She told the Israeli leader flat out that &ldquo;it is time&rdquo; to end the war in Gaza, a distinctly sharper message than Biden&rsquo;s past statements on the conflict, before delivering a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-americans-blame-biden-not-trump-for-afghanistan-debacle-poll\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: Americans Blame Biden, Not Trump, For Afghanistan Debacle: Poll\">national address<\/a> on the issue.<\/p>\n<p>The Gershkovich prisoner swap Thursday underscored just how delicately Democrats and the Biden-Harris team are handling the president&rsquo;s situation.<\/p>\n<p>According to the White House, the exchange, which brought the total number of unjustly detained Americans abroad that Biden has freed as president to 70, was the product of months of closed-door personal diplomacy on the part of the president and represents a highlight of his term in office.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Today&rsquo;s exchange is a feat of diplomacy that honestly could only be achieved by a leader like Joe Biden,&rdquo; national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters during Thursday&rsquo;s press briefing. &ldquo;The president was himself personally engaged in the diplomacy that brought this about.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sullivan&rsquo;s comments, however, caused reporters in the room to ask about Harris&rsquo;s role in the exchange.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have made the return of unjustly detained Americans hostage &mdash; American hostages an absolute priority,&rdquo; he responded. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve sat in the Oval Office more times than I can count over the course of the past years, providing briefings and updates on this and getting peppered with questions by both the president and the vice president; thinking through the strategy; iterating the approach, which she was a participant in very much &mdash; a core member of the team that helped make this happen.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The ultimate sign that Biden is stepping off stage, won&rsquo;t come until later this month at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Even before Harris received enough delegate votes on Friday to earn the party&rsquo;s nomination, party officials switched up the convention&rsquo;s speaking schedule.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Biden, while he was still running, had been slated to deliver the keynote address on Thursday, the closing night of the convention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He&rsquo;ll now speak on Monday in a curtain-raiser address before the convention shifts toward Harris and the future of the party.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1722157\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1722157\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biden Steps Back as Harris Takes Center Stage<\/p>\n<p>WILMINGTON, Delaware \u2014 Following President Joe Biden&#8217;s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, he has receded into the background while his chosen successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, assumes more official responsibilities. In the two weeks since he shared on social media that he would not pursue a second term, Biden has participated in only a few public events. He has observed from the sidelines as the Democratic Party rallies around Harris as its likely nominee. This significant transition is occurring because Democrats believe it is essential to prevent former President Donald Trump from reclaiming the White House. Biden stated that he prioritized saving democracy over &#8220;personal ambition,&#8221; which has led him to become a lame-duck president and take on a supportive role for his vice president. A Democratic strategist remarked to the Washington Examiner that &#8220;he\u2019s fading into the sunset.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Biden&#8217;s withdrawal allows Harris to distance herself from him while energizing party voters and donors with her potential historic candidacy as the first female president. She is emphasizing her previous experience as a California prosecutor capable of confronting Trump, who is now a convicted felon. Balancing respect for Biden\u2019s legacy with minimizing his visibility during this election cycle\u2014due to concerns about his popularity and age\u2014is delicate.<\/p>\n<p>Veteran Democratic operatives have suggested that Biden&#8217;s best contribution at this point would be to stay out of sight so that voters can associate Harris with their administration&#8217;s achievements without interference from him on the campaign trail.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans have recently intensified their attacks against Harris, alleging she was involved in efforts to downplay concerns about Biden\u2019s age among voters. Some Democrats believe this narrative could gain traction if Biden remains visible in public settings.<\/p>\n<p>As for recent appearances by Trump and Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), they have drawn criticism; Vance was labeled &#8220;weird&#8221; by some Democrats after his campaign debut.<\/p>\n<p>The Harris campaign did not clarify whether Biden\u2019s reduced public presence was part of an intentional strategy; however, it seems clear he is allowing her space to grow politically. He left Washington last Friday for Wilmington and plans another trip later this month.<\/p>\n<p>Since announcing his decision not to run again, Biden has made only limited notable public appearances: an address explaining his choice on July 25th; outlining proposed Supreme Court reforms; and celebrating three Americans&#8217; safe return from Russian captivity alongside Harris.<\/p>\n<p>Questions directed at him now often concern who should be selected as Harris\u2019 running mate\u2014a topic he deflected by stating she would handle it herself.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to campaigning nationwide over recent weeks, Harris took charge during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s visit\u2014the first since Hamas&#8217; attack\u2014delivering pointed messages regarding ending hostilities in Gaza before addressing national audiences on related issues.<\/p>\n<p>The prisoner swap involving Gershkovich highlighted how carefully both parties are managing perceptions surrounding Biden&#8217;s presidency while also showcasing collaborative efforts between him and Harris regarding foreign policy priorities like securing American hostages\u2019 release\u2014a key focus throughout their administration according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately signaling further changes ahead will come later this month at Chicago&#8217;s Democratic National Convention where adjustments were made even before formal nominations were finalized\u2014shifting speaking roles away from what had been planned for an active candidate like Biden toward focusing more prominently on future leadership under Kamala Harris<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2645,"featured_media":2318560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Joe-Biden-steps-back-Kamala.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3620,5191,33017,32076,32127],"class_list":["post-2318559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-biden","tag-leadership","tag-political-analysis","tag-washington-examiner","tag-white-house"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Joe-Biden-steps-back-Kamala.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2645"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2318559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2318559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2318560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2318559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2318559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2318559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}