Part 3/9:
Amid the pandemic, Biden’s campaign took shape in an atypical manner, with his aides implementing a structure around him designed to mitigate his perceived deficiencies. Meetings were closely managed, limiting the president’s interactions with influential Democrats and key advisors. This proved to be a recurring theme: as a “diminished leader,” Biden required an intricate protective network from both the public and political interactions, often resulting in a president who seemed isolated and estranged from key events and decisions.