Politico has a new piece out on the 2024 race, arguing that both “Joe Biden and Donald Trump are likely to run again, but neither is inclined to take the plunge first”:
The 2024 US presidential election begins as a high-stakes staring contest. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are likely to run again, but neither is inclined to take the plunge first.https://t.co/JYoNhiR0ps
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) May 5, 2022
But buried in the report is an explanation as to why aides have President Biden use the fake White House stage in the Old Executive Office Building instead of, you know, the Oval Office. Hint: it’s as bad as you imagined:
A Biden vs Trump rematch is growing likely. A look inside their camps’ latest thinking – and why neither wants to make the first move
Also: just why does the president use the fake White House set in South Court/EEOB anyway?
With @meridithmcgraw https://t.co/dK512SDGZZ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 5, 2022
That’s right! His aides have him use the fake White House because they can’t “permanently” place a teleprompter in the Oval Office:
Interesting tidbit from @JonLemire + @meridithmcgraw: The White House has largely abandoned using the Oval Office for press events in part because it can’t be permanently equipped with a teleprompter. https://t.co/AK5gJTLzHj
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) May 5, 2022
From Politico:
A bone he broke in his foot while playing with his dog in late November 2020 still occasionally bothers Biden, resulting in a slower and shorter gait. And the White House has largely abandoned using the Oval Office for press events in part because it can’t be permanently equipped with a teleprompter; Biden aides prefer the fake White House stage built in the Old Executive Office Building next door for events, sacrificing some of the power of the historic backdrop in favor of an otherwise sterile room that was outfitted with an easily read teleprompter screen.
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They can’t risk the president actually going off script, can they? Here’s the reaction from the House GOP:
Mr. Roboto. https://t.co/F52G0U7O44
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) May 5, 2022
Reminder: Joe Biden will be “nearly 82” on election day 2024:
Biden has repeatedly said he plans to seek reelection and aides are taking steps to mount a bid
They believe he has a strong record and would overcome intraparty concerns about his age — on Election Day 2024 he will be nearly 82 — and shaky poll numbers https://t.co/dK512SDGZZ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 5, 2022
Politico also reported that “some Trump allies believe he may ultimately opt against a run, either for health reasons or, if Biden’s poll numbers rebound, because he doesn’t want to risk a second loss – even though he has yet to acknowledge the first defeat”:
“But some Trump allies believe he may ultimately opt against a run, either for health reasons or, if Biden’s poll numbers rebound, because he doesn’t want to risk a second loss – even though he has yet to acknowledge the first defeat” https://t.co/dK512SDGZZ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 5, 2022
Who wants to tell team Biden that 2024 will be a lot different than 2020?
Like he did in 2020, Biden views Trump as an existential threat to American democracy.
And like he did in 2020, Biden thinks he’s the only one who can beat him. https://t.co/dK512SDGZZ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 5, 2022
And now, we wait . . . for both sides to decide:
Presidents often wait until after the midterms to declare reelection, in part because of campaign finance restrictions that would bring
Also: acting promptly is not a Biden strength, sparking fear within the party that he could delay until deep into 2023 https://t.co/dK512SDGZZ
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) May 5, 2022
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