In a candid moment of political transparency, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shared the story of how he gave then-President Joe Biden a much-needed reality check about the upcoming 2024 election. Shapiro, who likes to portray himself as a moderate with a knack for reaching across the aisle, didn’t hold back when he spoke to Biden about the challenges he was facing in Pennsylvania — a crucial swing state that would be vital to the Democrats’ success.
In a recent interview on "The Breakfast Club," Shapiro recalled sitting down with Biden at a coffee shop in Harrisburg, where he didn’t mince words. When Biden casually asked, “How’s it going?” Shapiro hit him with the truth: “It’s not going well.”
And just to make sure there was no confusion about where things stood, Shapiro didn’t stop there. He laid it all out: “Polls are showing it’s not going well. I don’t think you’re handling the cost question. Back to what we talked about before with rising costs. It was a big theme in the campaign. Big issue in Pennsylvania. I didn’t think they were handling that well.” He even added that voters were beginning to question whether Biden was “up to the job.”
Shapiro’s bluntness isn’t surprising, given his no-nonsense approach to politics. “Maybe it’s old school,” Shapiro remarked, “but I believe that if you got something to say, you say it directly to that person’s face. He’s the president of the United States. I respected him, still respect him, and I respect him enough to say it directly to his face.”
Biden’s response? He acknowledged Shapiro’s concerns and pointed out that their poll numbers told a different story. Biden appeared determined to push forward, and, well, it was ultimately his decision. But Shapiro also noted that part of the problem might lie within Biden’s team, suggesting they weren’t being straightforward with the president about the situation.
When the topic of throwing the old regime “under the bus” came up, Shapiro wasn’t having it. Charlamagne tha God, one of the hosts of "The Breakfast Club," suggested that future Democratic leaders should distance themselves from the past leadership, but Shapiro disagreed. “I don’t believe that you get ahead in life by throwing people under the bus,” he said, adding that true leaders should focus on showing their work, presenting a vision, and proving their worth rather than tearing others down.
As we look toward the 2024 election, it’s clear that Shapiro isn't one to shy away from difficult conversations — a refreshing change in today’s world of political correctness. But will his bluntness win him fans, or is it too much for the Democratic establishment to handle? Time will tell.
