President Biden’s staff have detailed plans on how he should enter and exit fundraiser events. A document obtained by Axios shows that his aides create a pathway for him to walk to the podium, complete with photos and the White House insignia. Some Democrats are questioning if this level of detail is necessary due to the president’s age.
Axios also obtained a five-page document template that is sent to White House staffers to prepare the president for events. This document includes pictures of the event space from both the podium and audience perspective. Despite concerns about Biden’s performance, the White House insists that these detailed instructions are standard procedure for presidential advance work.
In response to the report, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated that high levels of detail are crucial for advance work, regardless of who the president is. He mentioned that similar approaches were used during the Obama-Biden administration. Vice President Harris’ communications director also emphasized that these documents are standard logistical materials for any principal.
According to a White House official, these detailed documents are a normal part of advance team work, even though they may seem excessive to those unfamiliar with the process. Former aides who worked with Biden during his vice presidency noted that his documents at that time focused more on site diagrams.
Overall, the meticulous attention to detail in preparing President Biden for events reflects the standard practices of presidential advance work. Despite concerns about his performance and viability for a second term, the White House maintains that these preparations are necessary for any principal, including the Vice President.