 This story, says the Washington Post, is based on conversations with eight individuals involved in or briefed on the president's debate preparation, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private meetings. The Biden campaign declined to comment. So apparently every topic he was asked about Thursday, he had practiced answers for, including the final one about his age. So aides were bewildered by his performance. So what's happening here? The aides are attempting to get themselves off the hook. So as we're about to talk about the Biden family, which wants Joe to remain in the race because they have to, because the grift must go on.