Bulwark Takes: Tim Miller Unloads on Biden’s Inner Circle
Episode Release Date: May 14, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Description: In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller delves deep into the inner workings of President Joe Biden’s circle, critiquing the administration’s decisions and the Democratic Party’s internal dynamics. The discussion features insightful commentary, personal anecdotes, and a critical examination of recent political developments.
1. Introduction and Setting the Stage [01:00]
Krystal Ball opens the episode by sharing her experience guest hosting the Breaking Points podcast with Krystal Ball herself. She describes the show as a battleground for diverse political perspectives, likening it to a "horseshoe" where Trump-supporting and Bernie-supporting individuals engage in heated discussions.
Quote:
"I'm over here on the other side of the horseshoe from that. And so I thought it'd be fun to chat with them about everything that's going on in the world, chat with them about my ideological journey."
— Krystal Ball [01:00]
2. Krystal Ball’s Political Journey and Financial Realities [02:10]
Saagar Enjeti poses a challenging question to Krystal Ball regarding her shift from supporting Republican figures to catering to a liberal audience. He questions whether her current stance is a strategic move to appeal to her new base and prominent liberal networks like MSNBC.
Key Points:
- Krystal Ball acknowledges the financial discrepancies between her earnings and those of her former Republican allies.
- She emphasizes her commitment to expressing genuine beliefs rather than pandering for financial gain.
- Ball highlights the moral conflicts faced when opposing significant figures like Trump, maintaining integrity over profits.
Quote:
"I really, I try my very best to just say what I want, what I think, and only care about what I care about, and not be pretend outraged about things I'm not outraged about."
— Krystal Ball [03:00]
3. Biden’s Decline and Party Dynamics [04:59]
The conversation shifts to the recent revelations about President Biden’s physical and mental health decline. Saagar Enjeti references a forthcoming book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which alleges that Biden’s health issues were severe enough to consider placing him in a wheelchair, discussions that were kept confidential until after the election.
Key Points:
- Krystal Ball expresses frustration with the Democratic Party’s reluctance to address Biden’s declining capabilities openly.
- She criticizes the party’s efforts to present Biden as a viable candidate despite clear signs of his deteriorating health.
- Ball connects Biden’s personal struggles to broader political consequences, including the re-election of Donald Trump.
Quote:
"It was ridiculous for them to try to sell us on the fact that Joe Biden could be president in four years from now when he's 87. It was ridiculous."
— Krystal Ball [06:17]
4. Internal Challenges within the Democratic Party [08:40]
Saagar Enjeti draws parallels between Biden’s administration and Vice President Kamala Harris’s decision not to distance herself from Biden, attributing it to personal ego and selfishness. He underscores the impact of these decisions on the party’s effectiveness and public perception.
Key Points:
- The failure to address leadership weaknesses has led to internal strife and a lack of coherent strategy within the Democratic Party.
- Enjeti highlights the importance of strong, decisive leadership and the dangers of internal conflicts undermining party unity.
Quote:
"That is quite extraordinary. I remember him making some comment at the time in an interview. He was asked, well, what happens if you lose Trump? He's like, well, as long as I tried my best, it'll be fine. I mean, this guy's a fascist."
— Saagar Enjeti [08:40]
5. David Hogg’s Role and Reform Efforts [10:35]
The discussion turns to David Hogg’s election as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and his efforts to reform the party. Hogg advocates for challenging ineffective Democratic leaders and encouraging new, diverse candidates to take office.
Key Points:
- Hogg criticizes long-standing Democratic leaders for prioritizing personal power over constituents’ needs.
- He emphasizes the necessity of internal competition to rejuvenate the party and enhance its electoral prospects.
- The episode includes a brief audio clip of David Hogg discussing his initiatives on Bill Maher’s show.
Quote from David Hogg:
"This isn't about you. This is about our country and it's about your constituents. Nobody is in. I don't care if you've been there for decades or just one term. That seat is not yours. It is your constituents."
— David Hogg [10:35]
6. Debate on Internal Party Competition [12:16]
Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti engage in a spirited debate over the merits and drawbacks of internal competition within the Democratic Party. While Enjeti supports the idea of an internal "firing squad" to purge ineffective leaders, Ball criticizes the current approach as disorganized and counterproductive.
Key Points:
- Enjeti argues that rigorous internal competition is essential for party renewal and electoral success.
- Ball contends that the current methods lack strategic focus and are more a sign of the DNC’s incompetence than effective reform.
- They discuss historical examples, such as the Clinton-Obama primaries, to illustrate different approaches to internal competition.
Quote:
"I would support strategic competition. I would just say to me, this looks like a total cluster fork, not strategic competition within the party."
— Krystal Ball [16:00]
7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts [16:00]
The episode concludes with both hosts acknowledging the complexity of reforming the Democratic Party. They agree that while internal competition can be beneficial, it must be executed with strategic intent to avoid further fragmentation and ensure the party remains unified and effective in future elections.
Final Quote:
"Competition can be good, but being strategic and smart can also be good. And I don't think either the DNC or HOG over the past month have demonstrated a lot of smarts or strategy."
— Krystal Ball [16:00]
Summary:
In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti critically examine President Biden’s administration and the Democratic Party’s internal struggles. They discuss Biden’s declining health and its political repercussions, the emergence of David Hogg as a reform-minded leader within the DNC, and the contentious debate over internal party competition. The hosts highlight the need for strategic reforms to rejuvenate the party and address leadership challenges, underscoring the delicate balance between unity and critical self-assessment necessary for electoral success.