A few days ago, author Marianne Williamson announced her candidacy for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. At a White House briefing, a reporter asked Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre if President Biden was “annoyed” or “frustrated” at the news. Did he want a “clear field to run against the Republican nominee in 2024?”

Her response was to crack a series of obviously rehearsed “off the cuff” jokes about auras and crystal balls — a reference to Wiliamson’s long-standing interests in spirituality and self-help. The White House press core, which thrives on proximity to power and despises “unserious” people, thought it was hilarious.

The whole inane interaction was the latest in a series of signs that the White House is hoping it can get away with dismissing or ignoring Williamson and any other primary challengers who may emerge. The administration doesn’t want Joe Biden to have to stand on a debate stage defending his record against progressive critiques. It’s tried very hard to make this an uncontested nomination, and if other candidates insist on putting themselves forward anyway, it’s going to pretend this is an uncontested nomination.