In the final days of Joe Biden’s campaign, an air of inevitability and frailty marked his public appearances. As I witnessed from my position as a BBC correspondent, the dramatic turn of events painted a stark picture of the end of his presidential bid.
The Scene at Dover Air Force Base
Five nights ago, I stood on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base, observing Joe Biden as he descended the stairs from Air Force One. Clad in a dark jacket and baseball cap, his steps were tentative and scrutinized closely. The image of Biden, 81, struggling to navigate the steps, underscored the frailty brought on by age. This appearance was to be his last public one before announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 race on Sunday.
A Week of Rapid Change
A mere week prior, during our flight from Las Vegas, the president appeared resolute in his campaign for the Democratic nomination. Despite growing calls from Congressional Democrats for him to step aside, Biden had been buoyed by the recent failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, which provided a temporary reprieve.
Biden’s campaign aimed to reinvigorate support among Black and Hispanic voters, whose enthusiasm had waned since 2020. His speech at the NAACP convention had been well-received, with delegates energetically voicing support for “four more years” as Biden spoke.
However, the campaign’s momentum faltered drastically after that high note.
The Turning Point
The following morning, at the Original Lindo Michoacán Restaurant in Las Vegas, Biden’s health visibly declined. He appeared pale and noticeably slower, his demeanor contrasting sharply with his earlier vigor. As the press awaited updates, an unexpected email from a BBC colleague revealed that Biden had tested positive for Covid.
The campaign’s sudden shift in plans became apparent as we were quickly ushered back into the press vans. The motorcade, initially bound for the next event, redirected towards the airport. The president was heading home to Delaware to recover, marking the abrupt end of the campaign trip.
The End of the Campaign
In a poignant final public appearance at Dover Air Force Base, Biden’s attempt to project confidence was evident, though his response to questions about Democratic support seemed off-mark. He assured us, “I’m doing well,” but this reassurance felt out of sync with the situation.
Ultimately, Biden’s campaign faltered under the weight of mounting health concerns and political pressures. The image of him descending the steps at Dover became emblematic of his struggle against time and physical decline, as campaign donor George Clooney had aptly put it.
Reflections on a Historic Campaign
As the campaign concluded with Biden’s withdrawal announcement from his beachside home, the narrative of his final days was one of both resilience and resignation. The brief period of hope and energy was overshadowed by the stark reality of age and health, closing a chapter in American political history marked by a dramatic and abrupt end.
