Journalists seem to have no interest in just why Joe Biden's handlers have so frequently called "lids" on his campaigning in this final stretch, and totally pulled him out of public view for virtually this entire week.
Nope: in fact, it's a carefully calculated strategy. Joe Biden is a brilliant, modern-day Sun Tzu, adopting his maxim to not interfere when your enemy is destroying himself.
At least, that's the explanation of Biden's disappearing act . . . if you believe CNN. In a New Day segment this morning with Alex Wagner of The Circus and Laura Barrón-López of Politico, the consensus was that Biden's retreat from the trail was a smart and "concerted" strategy. The notion is to let President Trump destroy himself, while portraying a contrast of "normalcy."
Host John Berman wondered, “So what is Joe Biden doing? He’s been off the trail in debate prep. It’s a heck of a contrast. And most probably a deliberate one from the Biden campaign.” Wagner marveled, "Yeah, I mean, it is a study in contrast, also known as a view into the parallel universe where reason, logic, and science prevail, John."
Barron-Lopez concluded:
A big part of why Biden decides to call a lid some days as early as 9:00 A.M. is because of the fact that, yes, he’s following this campaign adage that if your opponent appears to be imploding or doing the work for you, then you let them do that. But it’s also because, we are still in the middle of a pandemic. And that was the very reason why his campaign decided to be on the road less.
Yet not one word was breathed by the panel about Biden's, about his, his, you know, the thing.
CNN covering for Biden-in-the-basement was sponsored in part by Liberty Mutual, Fidelity, and VisionWorks.
Here's the transcript. Click "expand" to read more.
New Day
10/21/20
6:04 am EDTREPORTER: Former Vice-president Biden is off the campaign trail to prepare for tomorrow's final presidential debate.
. . .
JOHN BERMAN: So what is Joe Biden doing? He’s been off the trail in debate prep. It’s a heck of a contrast. And most probably a deliberate one from the Biden campaign, which last night spent a heap of money to run this ad during the World Series.
BIDEN AD: Joe Biden doesn’t need everyone in this country to always agree. Just to agree we all love this country. And go from there. I’m Joe Biden and I approve this message.
BERMAN: I had this sort of epiphany as I was watching the World Series last night, and I saw that ad. First of all, it shows the cash advantage the Biden campaign has right now.
But it also answers the question a little bit of, gosh, what’s Joe Biden doing? He’s taking these days off the campaign trail to prepare for the debate. What's he doing?
Well, he’s presenting this stark contrast with the president, who is out there, your show is called “The Circus.” I mean, Joe Biden is running against the circus right now. And I think trying to provide that chaos . And if the president wants to be out there with this mayhem tour, so be it.
ALEX WAGNER: Yeah, I mean, it is a study in contrast, also known as a view into the parallel universe where reason, logic, and science prevail, John.
. . .
ALISYN CAMEROTA: But I think we should also just talk about, Joe Biden is also employing an unorthodox campaign strategy, which is within these final two weeks, just lay low and stay inside.
LAURA BARRON LOPEZ: That’s right. A big part of why Biden decides to call a lid some days as early as 9:00 A.M. is because of the fact that, yes, he’s following this campaign adage that if your opponent appears to be imploding or doing the work for you, then you let them do that. But it’s also because, we are still in the middle of a pandemic. And that was the very reason why his campaign decided to be on the road less.
. . .
BERMAN: The point I’m making, I actually now do think this is a concerted strategy from the Biden team. I mean, the president was out yesterday in Erie, Pennsylvania, literally saying, Joe Biden will be so boring. And I imagine the entire Biden campaign erupting in cheers saying, yes! yes! Joe Biden will be boring! That’s what we are now running on!
WAGNER: I would say, it’s not just boring, it’s responsible.
BERMAN: Yup.
WAGNER: It’s what you do when there’s a surge in a deadly virus across the country.
