Naomi Lim of the Washington Examiner ponders the impact of recent events on President Biden’s re-election prospects.
President Joe Biden’s good start to 2023 is now a memory amid his own classified documents scandal, perpetuated by the drip, drip, drip of new information about the materials and the White House’s response to them. But as the controversy dredges up competence and transparency concerns regarding his administration, the White House has gone on the offensive as the president tries to underscore his record before potentially launching a 2024 reelection campaign.
When asked if the White House could have handled revelations about the finding of classified documents from Biden’s vice presidency better, the answer is “yes,” according to Democratic strategist Stefan Hankin.
“The year started off really good for the White House, and Republicans were helping in keeping that going,” he told the Washington Examiner. “Do you want to take this step back? No.”
Since the classified documents story broke, Biden has returned from a foreign trip and hosted two foreign leaders, delivered a eulogy and sermon, spoken about what he says are his economic achievements, and remarked on his accomplishments for the black community, in addition to welcoming a championship sports team to the White House. But Tuesday’s press briefing was dominated by questions regarding the classified materials located last November, last month, and last week but not disclosed until the last seven days.
Hankin is adamant Biden’s classified documents problems will be a “blip” and not exacerbate concerns about competence and transparency after, for example, Biden’s management of the pandemic and withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The Lincoln Park Strategies founder and president added those responsible for disputing comparisons between Biden and former President Donald Trump’s classified material situations should be supporters outside the White House rather than administration aides.
