Biden’s Personal Attorney on the President’s Historic Decision | Amanpour and Company

For many, Joe Biden’s historic decision was a foregone conclusion after his disastrous debate appearance last month. What was meant to be an opportunity to allay age-related fears instead became a wake-up call for top Democrats to urge the president to step aside. Central to the preparation for that debate was a member of Biden’s inner circle, his personal lawyer Bob Bauer, who took on the role of Trump in practice sessions. Bauer spoke to Walter Isaacson about his new political memoir “The Unraveling,” Biden’s legacy, and what he’s learned from decades as the Democrats’ go-to legal mastermind.
Originally aired on July 22, 2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major support for Amanpour and Company is provided by Jim Attwood and Leslie Williams, Candace King Weir, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Antisemitism, the Leila and Mickey Straus Family Charitable Trust, Mark J. Blechner, the Filomen M. D’Agostino Foundation, Seton J. Melvin, the Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, Charles Rosenblum, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Barbara Hope Zuckerberg, and Jeffrey Katz and Beth Rogers.
Subscribe to the Amanpour and Company. channel here: bit.ly/2EMIkTJ
Subscribe to our daily newsletter to find out who's on each night: www.pbs.org/wne...
For more from Amanpour and Company, including full episodes, click here: to.pbs.org/2NB...
Like Amanpour and Company on Facebook: bit.ly/2HNx3EF
Follow Amanpour and Company on Twitter: bit.ly/2HLpjTI
Follow Amanpour and Company on Instagram: bit.ly/3SaTUhk
Watch Amanpour and Company weekdays on PBS (check local listings).
Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
#amanpourpbs

[@LibertyStrength76]

It was such a pleasure listening to the conversation of Bob Bauer on President Joe Biden’s presidency and on what he’ll be remembered for knowing all that he was able to accomplish during his tenure. Thank you for such a great interview!💜🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@buzoff4642]

Notably missing from all of Washington, but for 1 voice, Bernie's, "Living Wage". It's too bad the decades of the two parties' gerrymandering districts and voting laws kept the #1 in polling, Sanders, from being the d candidate. $2.13 an hour for tipped min wage, has been the floor for over 30 years - despite which of the two parties held the White House and congress at the same time. $7.25 an hour min wage for the rest of workers, has been the floor for over 10 years - despite which of the two parties held the White house and congress at the same time. The parties/Washington are a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of Wall St.

[@davidcarbone3385]

This is a great interview. Bob Bauer answered all the questions, which were thoughtful and informative generating. I wish I could hear well planned and executed interviews as this.

[@amyrashap5713]

Agree. Biden was not 'clinging to power'. Good point to be made. So proud of his decision.

[@CC-vw1cs]

Bob Bauer : "...If Mike Johnson were my student, he would have a failing grade..." Hope youre liatening closely Mikey !

[@cherylalt101]

Good interview Walter! Thanks for sharing this video with us!

[@arcticgoddess]

I was sad and in tears for Joe many times yesterday. He didn't step down, he stepped up, and it's so moving to watch someone make the right decision that almost no human being in power has ever made. Joe cemented his legacy with this decision, and much will be made over his greatness as president. I expect there to be many 'Biden' streets and 'Biden' boulevards nationwide. I hope to see Biden statues too, especially after Kamala wins and he has saved this country from autocracy again.

[@buzoff4642]

"that almost no human being in power has ever made" Are you kidding? McCain, who stopped and corrected a ridiculous statement about Obama being a Muslim, during a debate. George Bush Sr, who paid the US debt off, despite great hostility from banks who wanted the durable interest on them. George Washington, who was being pressured to stay in power for life. Granted, integrity in office is becoming rare, but there are plenty in history, and still some occurring.

[@RexJordan-s8x]

Thank you

[@shortmeister4321]

Excellent assessment by someone that has known our President. There is so much to be said about President Biden's long and storied career, but i won't go on here. I just want to express my sincere gratitude for his dedication to our democracy. Vote Blue!

[@Lois-o1f]

💙💙💙

[@Lois-o1f]

Love your bookshelf dude 💙💙💙

[@ronkirk5099]

President Biden's legacy of accomplishments for the American people is secure and passing the baton of leadership to a younger leadership just shows that he is still committed to doing what is right for the country. Let's make history in Roevember and elect our first woman president. It's time!

[@pedro1970maya]

I've just discovered this channel. I am deeply impressed. I immediately subscribed. [Update: I've been following more, and the genuine intellect from ALL the questioners/anchors is refreshing: No paid actors reading a propaganda script here . . .]

[@kathleenscullion8348]

I love the substantive coverage,the intellect of the questions and the guests and the scope of the subjects covered. Welcome!

[@sbeckwit]

God Bless Jill.

[@solarwind907]

Hey lady! About that “disastrous debate performance” by Joe Biden? How about talking about Donald Trump’s disastrous life?!! Convicted felon, sexual abuser, serial liar, serial adulterer, etc.?? I mean, How much time do we have? Yeah, Joe Biden had a bad night a couple of weeks ago. Donald Trump has led a bad life! Might want to make mention of that once in a while!

[@RosaF-t6l]

Excellent interview!

[@justinmas299]

A president with a personal attorney who has not been disbarred, how novel.

[@willielee5253]

One, two knock out punch, didn't see it coming. 😍😍

[@karenvigmostad4013]

Excellent! Thanks!

[@dianewhalen9721]

Biden made a gracious stepping down.Smart for his own health 👍🏽🙏🏼🇺🇸❤️

[@pleasebeinteresting]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Lois-o1f]

​@pleasebeinteresting 😢

[@stephenphillips6245]

This guy has got 2 book towers behind him..LoL

[@jonpicojones4032]

And has probably actually read them all too.

[@stephenphillips6245]

@@jonpicojones4032 Finally, someone that actually does...that is why some look rough.

[@brianag9726]

Have you seen Dr. Greg Carr on the Karen Hunter Show? I can’t even count how many towers of books he has. And he can always find the quote he wants from among them. Amazing!😂

[@rui569]

It's a bookshelf to pile books.

[@Lois-o1f]

I once commented about some Repub with a completely empty bookshelf 😂.......😊💙💙💙VOTE💙💙💙

[@geofflewis8599]

Mike Johnson is a joke he doesn't even believe his own lies..

[@MekonenMeteor123]

this man’s command of the English language…..

[@Lois-o1f]

I have been smiling all day and in a great mood since the Harris news 💙💙💙💙💙

[@grepora]

I don't envy anyone who has to take on the role of Donald Trump. That is a dark, crazy role. How can anyone but Trump continuously tell so many lies so frequently? Did he use method acting?

[@buzoff4642]

Having a great deal of experience with a narcissist, I can tell you their primary method is continuous bluster, particularly prolific when being criticized/critiqued in _any_ way. It works very well on emotives, who feel sorry at their distress, dismissing the ploy.

[@serpilcr]

Riding with Kamala💙💙💙💙

[@marwar819]

What's with all these demeaning, exploitative and vulgar tiles in the comments.

[@arcticgoddess]

Scared little Trump trolls throwing 💩 at the wall..

[@christaylor8337]

Don't the people get to vote for their candidate? I want Michele Obama

[@mr.makeit4037]

She told them that she's not interested in running for president.

[@MELODYSAVAGE-ej4io]

She doesn’t want you😊

[@buzoff4642]

You can use the ballot to vote for whoever you wish.

[@philipsankot8003]

naval ravikant posted.. on 'x'... It's the battle of the masculine men and the feminine women vs the masculine women and the feminine men

[@buzoff4642]

And we care about some naval and their definition of masculine and feminine because ...?

[@ttacking_you]

My first thought after that debate, was shame on Joe for putting up such a struggle against the guy who spent the past 4.years calling him old and incapable.

[@5mintify]

Lawyers lie.

[@pleasebeinteresting]

Especially the ones on retainer

[@buzoff4642]

Politicians lie. Multitudes lie, to others, and themselves.

[@cleroyster2610]

Is Joe Biden still alive??

[@beemaningi]

It looked ike clinging - either due to inexcusably self-centered stubbornness or due to being inexcusably disinformed by staff and/or family.

[@buzoff4642]

Mental acuity and speech acuity are two different things. I've defended a very aged friend, many a time, due to that distinction.

[@marwar819]

No longer respect A&Co's 'reporting. Very partisan and liberal. More like an advocacy pieces.

[@buzoff4642]

Name one major news outlet that isn't at the very least leaning partisan? One, name one. We're now in the position of having to get news from several, national, and international, to piece together the half-truths.

[@MELODYSAVAGE-ej4io]

@@marwar819 … ok, see ya, no one cares😂😂