New book details Biden's team rejecting cognitive test in 2024
A series of critical decisions surrounding Joe Biden's mental acuity assessment during his 2024 presidential campaign has sparked renewed discussions about age and leadership capabilities in American politics.
According to Fox News, a forthcoming book titled "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America" reveals that Biden's advisors opted against having him undergo a cognitive assessment in February 2024 despite their confidence in his potential success.
The decision to forgo the cognitive test came at a particularly sensitive time, just weeks before Biden's scheduled White House physical examination and several months ahead of his crucial debate with President Donald Trump.
This revelation emerges from the collaborative work of three prominent journalists: Tyler Pager from The New York Times, Josh Dawsey from the Wall Street Journal, and Isaac Arnsdorf from the Washington Post.
Internal White House Debates on Presidential Health Assessment
Biden's team engaged in extensive deliberations about the potential implications of a cognitive test. His personal physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, maintained a clear stance on separating medical decisions from political considerations.
The medical team's professional integrity remained unwavering despite mounting pressure from various quarters.
The timing of these discussions coincided with Special Counsel Robert Hur's controversial report about Biden's handling of classified documents. Hur's characterization of Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory" added fuel to ongoing debates about the president's cognitive capabilities.
The decision-making process revealed complex dynamics within Biden's inner circle as they weighed the benefits of transparency against potential political ramifications.
Their ultimate choice reflected a calculated response to the intensifying scrutiny of Biden's age-related capabilities.
Notable Exchanges Between Democratic Party Veterans
Former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain's interaction with David Axelrod, a prominent Obama administration alumnus, highlighted internal party tensions.
Klain confronted Axelrod over his public commentary about Biden's age, as revealed in the upcoming book.
According to the book, Klain's response to Axelrod demonstrated the Democratic leadership's struggle with succession planning. During their heated exchange, Klain stated:
There's no Obama out there, Axe. Who's going to do it if he doesn't do it?
The conversation stemmed from Axelrod's June 2022 comments to The New York Times, where he expressed concerns about Biden's age trajectory during a potential second term. This exchange underscored the Democratic Party's internal challenges in addressing leadership transition questions.
Campaign Preparation Challenges Surface
Another upcoming book, "Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History" by Chris Whipple, revealed concerning details about Biden's debate preparation.
Klain's observations during these preparations painted a picture of significant challenges:
At his first meeting with Biden in Aspen Lodge, the president's cabin, Klain was startled. He'd never seen him so exhausted and out of it. Biden was unaware of what was happening in his own campaign. Halfway through the session, the president excused himself and went off to sit by the pool.
Final Analysis of Presidential Campaign Strategy
The decision to bypass cognitive testing represented a pivotal moment in Biden's 2024 campaign strategy. The choice reflected careful consideration of various factors, including public perception, medical privacy, and political implications during a highly contested election period.
The revelations from multiple forthcoming books provide insight into the complex decision-making processes within Biden's campaign team.
These accounts detail how his advisors navigated the delicate balance between addressing public concerns about his age and maintaining campaign momentum during a crucial election period.



