There’s been a bit of a back and forth (at a distance) between former Obama chief strategist David Axelrod and President Biden, with Axelrod starting the alleged feud earlier this month by tweeting out the following about Joe’s reelection bid: “What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?”

Shots fired. 

As our Nick Arama reported, Biden didn't take it well, and reportedly called Axelrod a “p****” (rhymes with thick) during a private meeting after hearing about those comments.

I guess we’re going to need more popcorn because Axelrod was asked on CNN Monday about the name-calling and didn’t exactly back down on his criticism. In fact, you could argue that he doubled down.

First, the anchor said, “Sir, before I let you go, I gotta ask you; Jonathan Martin reported in Politico today [Monday] that the president called you a word that, because we're live in London, I'm not allowed to say on television, but it starts with a "P" and ends with 'K.'"

Axelrod seemed mostly amused by the comment and acknowledged the obvious: "Biden "wouldn’t be the first, I guess, in my many years in politics" to call him that name.

Next, rather than back down and try to soften his criticism, he reiterated it (bolding mine):

He continued, "Listen, I understand he was irritated because I raised concerns that many, many Democrats had. And again, you know, my feeling is either get out or get going. But the status quo, the way they were approaching the campaign, this sort of ‘What me, worry?’ attitude about the campaign was not going to get him to where he needs to go."

Watch:

On CNN International, Kasie Hunt said to David Axelrod, "since we're live in London," I can't say on air Politico reported that Biden called you a prick. "It starts with a P and ends with a K." Axelrod expressed concerns about Biden's age being a problem. pic.twitter.com/btImv4t9yq

— Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) November 14, 2023

He continued by warning that Biden's deterioration risks putting the left's favorite bogeyman back into office:

Biden, Axelrod said, knows how high the stakes are but “needs to take a sober look at the whole landscape. And yes, he’s committed to moving forward, I get that. He ought to then look at what his campaign is doing and what they need to do, and get out of this sort of referendum frame and go after Donald Trump every day, because Donald Trump will be the nominee of the Republican party.

It's always fun to watch the left eat the left. RedState's Duke thought so too and shared his thoughts on the matter:

Oddly Enough, Joe Biden and David Axelrod Are 100 Percent Correct About Each Other

Duke:

So Axelrod being called a prick by Biden is really the mildest of insults that Joe Biden could throw down. I'm actually surprised that the old codger didn't threaten to take him behind the gym of a school and try to beat him down...

However, this is one of those rare instances...that both of these gentlemen are right, and just like Halley's Comet, I probably will not see this again in my lifetime.

This is not the first time Axelrod has sounded the warning bells regarding Biden's campaign, but it's interesting that he's keeping it up despite the election getting closer and Biden showing no indication he intends to step down. Not the kind of guy you'd want in your foxhole, huh?

Democrats have been freaking out ever since new polling showed Trump beating Biden in key battleground states if the election were held today. You can't help but get the feeling that some, like Axelrod, are like rats jumping off a sinking ship.

The burning question is, does he have Obama's blessing? And if he does, what's Obama's end game here?