MSNBC's John Heilemann said Friday that Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE "is in a terrible position" politically given the coronavirus crisis, because he largely "he doesn't have a platform" and has been largely sidelined.

“Frustration levels are super high there,” Heilemann said during an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" when asked about the feeling inside the Biden's presidential campaign.

“The reality is that the former vice president is in a terrible position. In the sense that he doesn’t have a platform. He doesn’t have real standing in this crisis,” Heilemann said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“So you look at, obviously, Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE, who has the ability to dominate, for good or bad, has the ability to dominate coverage," he continued. "He’s in the middle of the entire thing and will have this big platform and megaphone, bigger than ever. You also have governors, office holders, who are dealing with this on the front line."

With public campaign events suspended amid the pandemic, Biden has conducted interviews and what have been described as "shadow coronavirus briefings" from his Delaware home.

Several former Obama administration officials told The Hill those efforts have fallen short.

"You're constantly hearing about [Andrew] Cuomo, and I know he's the governor of New York, but Joe Biden is going to be the Democratic nominee," one former official said. "He needs to show his leadership.”

The White House daily coronavirus task force briefings have attracted large audiences, averaging 8.5 million viewers across all networks, a figure Trump has touted.

Biden also faces an enthusiasm gap, according to a recent ABC News-Washington Post poll.

The March 31 survey shows that 74 percent of Biden voters support him enthusiastically, compared with 86 percent of Trump supporters who back the president with that same level.