Key Takeaways:
- Tapper’s book on Biden faces scrutiny over accuracy.
- Politico reveals ads were tested but not used due to debate withdrawal, not poor performance.
- Fact-checking was limited, and Biden’s team wasn’t contacted.
- Authors accused of having a prewritten narrative, leading to a rushed, sensationalized book.
Tapper’s Book on Biden Faces Scrutiny
Jake Tapper’s recent book on Joe Biden’s campaign has sparked controversy, with questions arising about its accuracy. The book, which quickly faded from the headlines, is now under examination for claims that may not hold up to scrutiny.
Politico’s Findings Contradict the Book’s Claims
Politico obtained exclusive access to three versions of test ads Tapper and his co-author claimed the Biden campaign couldn’t use due to poor performance. However, Politico’s investigation paints a more nuanced picture. While the ads were indeed highly edited, they also showed Biden engaging positively with the audience. The real reason these ads weren’t used? Biden withdrew from the race after a disappointing debate in June 2024. Politico confirmed this through dated documents and even a painting in the gym where the town hall took place.
The Issue with Fact-Checking
Another red flag is the book’s fact-checking process—or lack thereof. Tapper and Thompson didn’t reach out to Biden or his team to verify their claims, which is unusual for a book of this nature. Limiting fact-checking can lead to a one-sided story, and it seems like the authors had already made up their minds about Biden’s decline before starting their research.
A Rushed Narrative?
This raises questions about the authors’ approach. Instead of conducting thorough research, they appear to have started with a predetermined conclusion and then looked for evidence to back it up. Real historical accounts take years to write, involving extensive interviews and fact-checking. This book, however, was put together in just a few months, with little effort to get the full story.
What This Means for Readers
Readers deserve a well-researched and balanced account of Biden’s presidency and campaign. Unfortunately, Tapper and Thompson’s book doesn’t meet that standard. It seems more like a quick attempt to make money off a sensational story rather than a genuine effort to provide insight. When it comes to understanding history, we should demand more from the books we read.
This controversy is a reminder that it’s important to question the sources of the information we consume and to seek out well-researched and balanced accounts. When it comes to something as significant as a presidential campaign, we should expect nothing less.