For Biden, There’s No Coming Back from This

To call it “damage control” cheapens the multidirectional disaster-mitigation campaign in which Biden’s team is now engaged. The president’s camp is throwing haymakers at anyone on their side who is imprudent enough to be honest about the president’s condition and his dimming political prospects in November. But for all their denunciations of the “bedwetters” in their midst, the last 72 hours cannot be undone. Even if Democrats manage to rationalize themselves into accepting Biden’s renomination to the White House, the incumbent has been done in by his allies’ candor.

The New York Times editorial board led the way last Friday afternoon. For Biden to run for reelection now risks “the stability and security of the country” by “forcing voters to choose” between Trump’s “deficiencies” and Biden’s. The president’s “age and infirmity” have been laid bare (notwithstanding the paper’s best efforts to disguise them by accusing those who noticed his frailties of misinforming their audiences). The party needs to find someone “more capable” to serve in the White House.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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To call it “damage control” cheapens the multidirectional disaster-mitigation campaign in which Biden’s team is now engaged. The president’s camp is throwing haymakers at anyone on their side who is imprudent enough to be honest about the president’s condition and his dimming political prospects in November. But for all their denunciations of the “bedwetters” in their midst, the last 72 hours cannot be undone. Even if Democrats manage to rationalize themselves into accepting Biden’s renomination to the White House, the incumbent has been done in by his allies’ candor.

The New York Times editorial board led the way last Friday afternoon. For Biden to run for reelection now risks “the stability and security of the country” by “forcing voters to choose” between Trump’s “deficiencies” and Biden’s. The president’s “age and infirmity” have been laid bare (notwithstanding the paper’s best efforts to disguise them by accusing those who noticed his frailties of misinforming their audiences). The party needs to find someone “more capable” to serve in the White House.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.