We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode 12/27/24: BOMBSHELL: WSJ Reveals Biden Decline Coverup

12/27/24: BOMBSHELL: WSJ Reveals Biden Decline Coverup

2024/12/27
logo of podcast Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar

AI Deep Dive AI Insights AI Chapters Transcript
People
K
Krystal
M
Matt
无足够信息构建一句话概述
Topics
Krystal: 本期节目讨论了关于拜登年龄问题的爆炸性报道,报道揭露了拜登幕僚对拜登年龄问题的掩盖行为。报道中提到,拜登的幕僚为了掩盖拜登日渐衰退的身体状况,采取了极端措施,甚至包括操纵第一夫人吉尔·拜登的行程安排,以避免与拜登形成对比,凸显拜登的无能。他们知道拜登的身体状况,但仍然决定让他继续竞选,甚至参加辩论。这其中可能存在多种因素,例如他们认为别无选择,只能继续这场“死亡竞选”,或者他们是在为失败做准备。 此外,各种激励机制也促使人们保持沉默,不揭露拜登的身体状况。如果幕僚辞职并试图揭露真相,他们可能会被贴上右翼反对派的标签,从而在民主党内失去未来。拜登的顾问圈子自很久以前就保持不变,他们愿意为他撒谎,并隐瞒其家人的信息。拜登本人也不愿听到任何负面消息,这导致他被孤立在自己的信息茧房里。拜登的身体状况对他的日程安排造成了影响,会议可能会因为他的身体状况而被取消。 Krystal认为,媒体没有认真对待挑战拜登的候选人,也没有进行足够的报道,这是更大的问题。一些媒体人士可能早就知道拜登的身体状况,但直到很久以后才进行报道。自由派媒体将有关拜登身体状况的报道视为右翼的谎言,这阻碍了对现实的正确报道。即使在拜登赢得选举后,人们仍然忽视了他认知能力下降的问题。总统在认知能力方面并不需要完全健全,但选民意识到候选人的认知能力下降会对他们产生负面影响。拜登的一些支持者,例如伯尼和AOC,出于政治策略而非真心支持他。拜登的支持者们可能认为,即使他的认知能力下降,他任命的一些官员(例如Lena Khan)仍然是积极的因素。拜登的幕僚们可能认为,让拜登继续担任总统符合他们的自身利益。伯尼阵营支持拜登,可能是为了获得政治影响力。Matt Iglesias 对拜登的支持令人费解,因为他与拜登在经济政策上的立场并不一致。 Matt: 我同意Krystal的观点,拜登的幕僚们如果意识到拜登的身体状况,应该采取行动,例如辞职。掩盖拜登的身体状况是不可能的,因为竞选需要大量的公开露面和采访。即使提前安排辩论,也无法解决拜登身体状况的问题,而且如果拜登退出,哈里斯将成为继任者,而她当时在政治上表现不佳。拜登的亲信们将他与世隔绝,以避免公众的审查。 在行政机构方面,伊丽莎白·沃伦可能在拜登政府中发挥了作用,影响了某些官员的任命。伊丽莎白·沃伦可能通过在官员任命方面的影响力来弥补她在2020年大选中对伯尼·桑德斯的支持不足。很难判断拜登政府的政策究竟是由拜登本人还是其幕僚决定的。拜登政府的一些经济政策,例如宏观经济刺激措施,可能受到了2008年金融危机后左翼和中间偏左观点的影响。拜登政府在工业政策和气候变化方面的政策可能受到了来自不同政策倾向人士的影响。拜登政府的基建法案、通胀削减法案和芯片法案等政策的积极影响可能会被未来的共和党政府所利用。由于政治献金的影响,新自由主义时代可能难以结束。未来的民主党总统候选人可能会在经济政策方面采取不同的策略。在2020年大选期间,民主党内存在一种策略,即在某些特定问题上采取强硬立场,而在其他问题上采取更温和的立场。有人认为,拜登政府的左倾经济政策不受欢迎,这表明支持劳工权利和反托拉斯政策等政策是错误的。有人建议,未来的民主党候选人应该在文化问题上采取更温和的立场。有人认为,“觉醒文化”损害了民主党,但这种说法可能并不准确,因为拜登在“觉醒文化”盛行时赢得了选举。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What did the Wall Street Journal reveal about Biden's decline and the cover-up by his aides?

The Wall Street Journal reported that Biden's aides went to great lengths to cover up his cognitive decline, including hiding his condition from the public and even rescheduling meetings when he had 'bad days.' They also manipulated public appearances to avoid highlighting his limitations.

Why did Biden's aides continue to push him forward despite knowing about his decline?

Biden's aides likely felt they had no choice but to proceed, fearing the existential threat posed by Trump. They also believed that stepping back would leave Kamala Harris, who had been unsuccessful politically, as the alternative. Additionally, the incentive structures discouraged dissent, as speaking out could end their careers in Democratic politics.

How did the media contribute to the cover-up of Biden's decline?

The media largely dismissed concerns about Biden's cognitive decline, often labeling them as right-wing smears. Journalists like Olivia Nuzzi admitted to knowing about his struggles but failed to report on them earlier. The media also marginalized potential challengers, shutting them out of serious coverage.

What role did Biden's inner circle play in perpetuating the cover-up?

Biden's inner circle, consisting of long-time advisors, created a bubble around him, shielding him from negative news and public scrutiny. They rescheduled meetings on his 'bad days' and limited his interactions to avoid exposing his decline. This self-reinforcing system ensured that only positive information reached Biden.

What were the political consequences of Biden's cognitive decline being revealed?

The revelation of Biden's decline raised questions about the Democratic Party's decision-making process and the media's role in vetting candidates. It also highlighted the lack of viable alternatives, as potential challengers like Gavin Newsom and Dean Phillips were sidelined. The situation underscored the party's fear of a democratic process that could have exposed Biden's limitations earlier.

How did Biden's economic policies differ from traditional neoliberal approaches?

Biden's administration implemented policies that broke with neoliberalism, such as industrial policy, climate initiatives, and labor rights advancements. Figures like Lina Khan at the FTC and Jennifer Abruzzo at the NLRB pushed for antitrust enforcement and worker protections. These shifts were influenced by progressive voices like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Shownotes Transcript

Krystal and Kyle discuss bombshell reporting that Biden’s age concerns were covered up.

 

To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com)

 

Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/)

See omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.