That's the thing. I don't think many, if anyone, actually considers him Chief Executive. I know people who voted for Biden who are completely silent about it now. When I ask about their views on him as a leader I just get dead air. A variation of "Actually Kamala is in charge" (even more horrifying) or "his staff know what to do"

So why does he say things that don't mesh with policy? Why is there an entire staff that can just say "Oh, he didn't mean that"? Why is there continued support to hold the man as some holy person who can't be wrong?

The latter instance you mentioned isn't just brazen, it seems absolutely intentional to me.