A political diagnosis: President Biden should withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, and the sooner the better.
For Democrats, the Titanic has struck an iceberg. Whatever decisions are made going forward, President Biden is sinking politically, that is, if he’s not already sunk beyond hope. As for the rest of the country and the preservation of democracy, we must now face facts and not go down with the ship.
All it not lost. But we don’t have much time, either. Will Democratic Party loyalists — from national elected officials to rank and file voters — acquire the collective wisdom and muster up the courage necessary to bring out the lifeboats and prepare to abandon this sinking ship in a unified effort to save the nation? Let us now begin considering our options. It’s a discussion we must have.
This is not the time for blind loyalty to the captain, nor an occasion to try and salvage a hopelessly damaged vessel that’s very likely to deteriorate even further. We must accept the reality that President Biden’s weaknesses and fragilities are almost certain to worsen with time. While the incumbent President must be respected and treated with compassion and care, he must also be persuaded to withdraw from the presidential race, and soon — and if that doesn’t happen, then he should be forcibly replaced at the Democratic National Convention, which starts in seven weeks.
Here are my arguments on behalf of doing whatever is necessary to replace President Biden as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
1. I’ve purposefully allowed a few extra days to pass since last Thursday night’s Biden-Trump presidential debate. I intentionally paused and pondered because I wanted to absorb the full impact of what happened. I wanted to avoid rushing to judgement, especially on such a monumentally important question. Throughout this period, I’ve tried to keep an open mind willing to consider several options open to us, particularly if you (like me) are a supporter of Democratic candidates in the upcoming 2024 election.
2. My gut reactions are/were a follows: Shock. Disappointment. Anger. Provocation. I feel deeply let down by someone I’ve supported, though this condition isn’t really his fault. It’s hard to blame President Biden. He’s only human. His heart is in the right place, and he knows the dangers that Trump poses. Clearly, Joe Biden was the right person for the job in 2020, but he’s now the weakest and arguably worst possible candidate we can pick in 2024.
3. No, Thursday wasn’t just a “bad night” for President Biden. It wasn’t merely a poor performance. Rather, it was confirmation. It was unmistakable evidence. Comparisons to past Presidents, previous elections, and other poor debate performances are invalid here. Some facts: President Biden spent six full days in preparation for this debate. He arrived well-rested after spending nearly a week at the Camp David retreat. He was surrounded by top advisors and so-called experts who allegedly provided “coaching.” Even the debate rules and format were advantageous. A majority of American voters were already deeply concerned about Biden’s age and those fears were not just validated. They were amplified.
4. Ageism is real and no one should be judged simply on the basis of the year they were born. For too many capable people are dismissed and even forgotten in this youth-obsessed culture that often discriminates based on age. But growing older and getting old is also a fact of life. While many people well into their 80s and beyond are mentally and physically fit and we should always revere experience and respect seniority, what the world witnessed in the debate was an undeniable truth — the revelation that a good and decent man with decades of public policy experience struggled painfully to function when stakes were the highest. The damage has been done. No amount of clever campaign ads, or pro politico spin, or comparative contrasts about how bad the other guy is up to the November election will erase what we all saw and heard. The sooner we accept facts and evidence, the better chance we have to recover from it and reboot with another more suitable candidate.
5. Are President Biden’s parade of apologists and army of surrogates really confident that these episodes won’t happen again? if so–what appalling naivete. Another grueling presidential campaign will certainly take its toll on his health, as will a second presidential debate (if that happens). Can a man who turns 82 in November really be expected go though all that and also finish seven more months of his first term without future lapses and senior moments? Here’s an even bigger question: Is President Biden mentally and physically fit enough to lead and govern for another seven months, then followed by another four years? Anyone who believes we’ve seen the last of these problems is delusional. We shouldn’t have to hold our breaths every time the President makes a public appearance or opens his mouth. That’s where we’re at now. Hope replaced by fear. Clarity replaced by uncertainty. Strength replaced by weakness. We may not have seen the end, nor the worst of it.
6. President Biden’s defenders have pointed to the annual State of the Union address earlier this year as evidence of a viable leader and effective communicator. They even cited his appearance at a campaign rally in North Carolina held on the following day after the debate fiasco. While those appearances were admittedly positive and without incident, let’s also remember these (and most other public events) used a teleprompter. Most people, even those with diminishing mental faculties, can read speeches and follow scripts. The real test is the unscripted interview, a question-answer period, a press conference, or a debate like we saw on Thursday evening. Note that we have not seen President Biden at any lengthy unscripted events in recent months, aside from photo ops. Closed-door meetings always include advisors and handlers whose job it is to bail out the President when he’s having difficulties. Carefully scripted and highly-organized events may give the illusion of normalcy. But until President Biden is “on his own” in some fashion, questions will linger and doubts will increase.
7. If he can somehow be persuaded (or perhaps a more pragmatic approach is if Jill Biden comes to her senses, faces reality, and then shares this with Joe Biden) the disaster of this past week could turn into a great moment leaving a proud legacy for the next generation. Bowing out now with grace and dignity with his head held high is always preferable to more embarrassment and ultimate rejection. Taking well-deserved credit for helping to lead America’s comeback merits national appreciation. Right now, he has the opportunity to leave on a high note, and an announcement that he is withdrawing from the race will even garner some sympathy. All the good guys win in this scenario.
8. President Biden exiting the race now leaves seven weeks until the Democratic National Convention. That’s 49 days. It leaves more than four months until the general election. That’s 120 days. That’s enough time to make necessary adjustments, screen prospective replacements, and hold a national convention following all party rules and protocols in order to establish legitimacy. Arguments about any Biden “entitlement” have become invalid due to serious health concerns and new realities. It is the inherent responsibility of delegates to nominate the person with the best chance to win in November, not serve as a mindless rubber stamp. Imagine the excitement of a Democratic convention, with all the drama, as opposed to the Republicans’ mindless cult-like coronation. What an opportunity to reboot! We must acknowledge that this year is very different. Old rules do not apply. This is not a normal election. These are not normal times. This is an exceptional moment in our nation’s history that demands tough choices get made by the people entrusted to lead and make those decisions.
9. Nominating a new candidate would undoubtedly energize the Democratic base, rekindle broader enthusiasm, boost national fundraising, reverse dismal poll numbers, appeal to swing voters, and provide a dramatic contrast to the opposition. Fact: In all polls, even among Republican pollsters, a majority of voters don’t like either of the current candidates. Most believe these two major candidates are either too old, or unfit, or both. But Democrats have the unique opportunity (and justification) to give voters what they want —— another choice. Give it to them. Do it. Instantly, undecideds and swing voters will gravitate to the shiny new object. Even the fractured Democratic base, including many progressives, is likely to return to the party with far greater enthusiasm. Let’s also not forget President Biden appears incapable of verbal persuasion, whereas a new candidate can and will articulate winning arguments. The worst thing a losing team can do is keep on doing the same thing. Stop doing the same thing in an election desperate for an alternative.
Note: How have we reached this stage? How can there not be a contingency plan for an election without Biden atop the ticket? Isn’t anyone at the top of the Democratic Party thinking about very real possibilities that an 81-year-old might become incapacitated, or even die in mid-election?
10. Finally, it should go without saying this isn’t an endorsement of Trump. His debate showing was just as appalling for other reasons. It was bonfire of ceaseless lies, gutless evasiveness, and outright deception. No serious candidate has ever been as unsuited for any public service than Trump. Moreover, if Biden somehow remains the nominee, I will support and vote for Biden despite the obvious issues and significant risks. History has proven the nation can survive a diminished President Biden much in the same manner we made it through Ronald Reagan’s onslaught of Alzheimers (mid-1980s) and Woodrow Wilson’s stroke (early 1920s) that left him an invalid. Those were terrible health issues that left both men in a severe state of decline in their final years. The nation survived because the mechanisms of the federal system continue and can propel us through voids in leadership within the White House. But we cannot survive a very real subversive threat to democracy as posed by Trump. A Biden second term would be problematic. A Trump second term would be catastrophic. Faced with two these horrible choices, let’s now give voters a third option — a different candidate.
Coming Next: I’ll address the process for replacing President Biden as the nominee and discuss the strengths and weakness of prospective alternative candidates.
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