Expert on the publication of ‘Original Sin’ and Joe Biden’s legacy
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s book “Original Sin” blames the Democratic Party’s loss in the 2024 presidential election on incumbent Joe Biden’s determination to run for a second term instead of making way for a primary that could select a new candidate. Excerpts from the book have generated massive buzz ahead of its May 20 release.
Virginia Tech political communications expert Cayce Myers provided analysis of what the publication of “Original Sin” could mean for Biden, Kamala Harris, and the Democratic Party.
What could Tapper and Thompson’s book mean for the Biden legacy and the Democrats going forward?
“‘Original Sin’ is the first draft of the history of the Biden administration. What the book does is create the narrative that Biden’s failure to leave the campaign in 2024 facilitated a Trump victory and a wilderness period for national Democrats. These journalistic histories of presidencies establish the narrative legacy of an administration. Ultimately, this narrative may change with historical distance, but Biden’s legacy will likely be framed largely by his 2024 presidential campaign.”
Will the media tour Biden has been doing mitigate the effects of this book’s release?
“Biden’s media tour may serve as a counter-narrative to the book’s release as Biden is trying to solidify the narrative around his legacy. However, it could have the adverse impact of bolstering the book's popularity, especially since the post-election analysis is increasingly blaming Biden and discussing his behavior as a president and as a candidate.”
Is a narrative like this in any way helpful to Harris’ legacy?
“The blame on Biden’s performance in the 2024 election certainly provides an excuse for Harris’ performance. In many ways his abrupt departure from the campaign created a situation where logistically Harris was the only viable option given campaign finance laws and other logistics. Yet his responsibility for the 2024 loss does not necessarily mean she was a better candidate. In many ways, his blame correlates to her candidacy.”
About Myers
Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice. He is the author of “Public Relations History: Theory, Practice, and Profession” and “Profession and Money in Politics: Campaign Fundraising in the 2020 Presidential Election.” Read more here.
Schedule an interview
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