When Democrats lost the 2024 election, questions immediately swirled around President Biden and his decision to run again. Just as a new book critical of Biden was about to launch, a spokesperson for the former president announced he had just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

What role did Biden’s decision to first run and then withdraw from the 2024 presidential race play in the Democrats’ sweeping losses? What new insights are revealed in the new book? How does Biden’s cancer diagnosis shape the narrative on these issues and Biden’s legacy?

To discuss these issues, USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Bruce Wolpe and Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign Policy David Smith joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck on the USSC Briefing Room Podcast.

Subscribe to the USSC Briefing Room on Apple PodcastsSpotify and YouTube.

Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat