President Biden’s White House is stuck in a split-screen reality — spiraling war threats overseas and spiraling political problems at home. Both are horror shows for re-election.
Why it matters: Top officials believe Biden has been at his best in managing the early days of the Israeli-Hamas war. But they privately concede things have never been worse politically since the 80-year-old took office.
Most troublesome: It’s hard to see how to brighten his public image on issues haunting the American public — crime, immigration, inflation, race, trust. And now two divisive wars America didn’t start.
– Biden’s top aides “are deeply frustrated, and somewhat bitter,” said one backer in frequent touch with the West Wing. “They think he’s doing a great job — and by many measures, he is.”
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