Jonathan Allen on Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency

TL;DR

This book explores the story of Joe Biden's lucky breaks and strategic decisions that led to his surprising victory in the 2020 election.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast i'm charlie sykes uh we had jonathan allen from nbc on just a little while ago talking about his book and he promised he would come back when his book about the 2020 election was issued and lo and behold uh here he is uh less than a week after the publication of the book lucky basically the story of how joe biden mana... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖐️ Biden's lucky breaks, from the chaos of the Iowa caucuses to the mishandling of COVID-19 by Donald Trump, played a significant role in his victory.
• 🏈 African American voters became a loyal and crucial constituency for Biden, despite initial doubts and concerns about his racial record.
• 🆘 Biden's affable demeanor and ability to avoid ridiculing opponents helped him maintain a positive image and secure support from various factions.
• 🪡 The endorsement of Jim Clyburn in South Carolina was a pivotal moment that gave Biden the momentum needed to secure the nomination.
• 👻 Biden's ability to control his message during the pandemic allowed him to avoid potential pitfalls and focus on his core message of defeating Trump.
• 🏃 The book highlights the strategic decisions Biden made throughout his campaign, such as choosing Kamala Harris as his running mate, that ultimately contributed to his success.
• 🤩 Maintaining unity within the Democratic Party, despite ideological differences, was key to Biden's victory.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Joe Biden manage to win the Democratic primary despite initial doubts from party insiders?

Biden's ability to maintain a likable and affable demeanor throughout the campaign, as well as his association with Barack Obama, helped him secure the necessary support within the party.

Q: What was the impact of Jim Clyburn's endorsement on Biden's campaign?

Clyburn's endorsement in South Carolina was a turning point, giving Biden significant momentum and support from African American voters crucial to his victory.

Q: How did Biden handle Kamala Harris's attack on his record during the primary debate?

Biden initially struggled with the attack, but ultimately chose Harris as his running mate, which indicated a reconciliation of sorts.

Q: How did Biden manage to keep the progressive wing of the party satisfied while running as a moderate?

Biden's ability to create a space for progressives and respect their ideas, without making them feel sidelined or attacked, allowed him to maintain support from both moderates and the progressive wing of the party.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The book discusses how Joe Biden's campaign had numerous lucky breaks that contributed to his win in the 2020 election, from the chaotic Iowa caucuses to the endorsement of Jim Clyburn in South Carolina.

• Biden's ability to control his message during the COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role, as he didn't have to face the same public scrutiny as in-person campaigning would have entailed.

• The book examines Biden's relationship with African American voters and how he managed to secure their support despite his past record on racial issues.