Staff ReportsThe recent funeral service for Ethel Kennedy in Washington, D.C., has turned into an unexpected soap opera for the Democratic Party, with President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama engaging in what can only be described as a conversation resembling a tense standoff. As the political clock ticks down to 20 days before the high-stakes 2024 election, the sight of these two former allies exchanging furtive gestures and hushed words at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle raises eyebrows about their dwindling camaraderie.
The occasion was meant to be a heartfelt farewell to Ethel Kennedy, the 96-year-old matriarch of the Kennedy clan, who passed away due to complications stemming from a stroke. Ethel was not just a grieving widow; she had spent decades in the political arena advocating for human rights and environmental issues, ensuring her husband’s legacy loomed large over American politics. Instead of united mourning, however, the reunion of prominent Democratic figures quickly morphed into a highlighted spectacle. Obama and Biden appeared to have a private conversation that could rival any dramatic scene from a political thriller.
I found the full exchange between Obama and Biden at Ethel Kennedy's funeral — a VERY tense conversation 20 days out from the election.
If anyone can read lips, please let me know what they're saying. It's probably good. pic.twitter.com/BIZTL61SHT
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) October 16, 2024
Biden, who had the honor of delivering the eulogy, seemed at first to step onto the stage with the necessary gravitas. However, once the cameras started rolling, the dynamic shifted, and speculations ran wild. Observers watching this duo couldn’t help but wonder what was being exchanged in those hushed tones—perhaps Obama was reminding Biden that the Democratic ship is sinking faster than they could have imagined. After all, with the internal battles within the party and the impending election around the corner, it’s no secret that tensions are high in a party struggling to maintain its footing.
The funeral backdrop was further complicated by the unique presence of Ethel’s son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has opted for an independent run against Biden. With a name like Kennedy plastered next to the likes of Trump on campaign posters, the family is serving as a living testament to the Democratic schism that erupted post-Obama. This fractures the traditional Democratic stronghold, leaving party leaders in a constant state of anxiety, particularly with fears that RFK Jr.’s support could siphon valuable votes from Kamala Harris as she fights for her political life.
The gossip around the watercooler extends beyond the funeral; whispers of discord between Kamala Harris’s team and Biden’s White House staff are also hitting the headlines. Insiders have disclosed that the relationship is about as stable as a house of cards on a windy day. Biden, while publicly pretending to champion Harris’s campaign, seems oblivious to how his actions are undermining her efforts—notably when he chose to hold an unscheduled press conference that overshadowed her scheduled event in Michigan. Such missteps fuel a growing unease among Harris’s aides, who are left wondering how much support the Biden administration will actually lend her during the chaotic sprint to the polls.
As this political opera continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Democratic Party, once considered a monolithic entity, is about as united as a divided nation. With RFK Jr. out there trying to carve his path, combined with Biden’s apparent neglect of Harris’s campaign needs, it’s safe to say that the Democrats have their hands full—not just with their opponents but also with their own family feud. It’s a political circus unfolding live, and the audience can’t help but laugh (or cringe) at the sheer absurdity of it all.
