[email protected] is one of the few noting there are *also* serious risks w/nominating alternative to Biden. As I suggested, we also can't be sure an alternative would fare better against Trump!
Still, I lean toward thinking Bidens should take Q of whether he should withdraw a lot more seriously
Unlike many others On Here, I don't think there's a way for Biden to bow out without it leading to extreme risks of a very different kind. We need more of an acknowledgment from the replace-Biden camp that this is not a remotely easy dilemma.
newrepublic.com/article/1832...
I don’t know where I stand on “Biden should step aside.” I think there is one way to get this right — Biden delivers a national address as president stating that he believes his highest duty is defending the Constitution and the best way to do this is to step aside and hand the baron to Harris.
On paper, I think he’s probably the most promising young star the Democrats have, even more so than Whitmer. Plus PA is probably the most valuable swing state. You’re not wrong though that the idea of Harris + a 2-year gov would (prob unfairly) get affixed with the “inexperienced” label.
You may be right, but I don't think there's any reason to entirely rule out an open convention scenario, provided we're clear eyed wrt immense downside risks it entails. I also think we need genuine assurances that the Bidens are taking seriously the Q of whether he has the fight in him to do this.
Very possible, but I can see an argument along the lines of, "we're doing this questionable thing because it's an emergency," which it might be. Still, to me the most important thing is the Bidens and the campaign need to send a signal that they've taken the Q of whether he's up to this seriously
What I means is, if the rationale is that the nation faces an all hands on deck emergency and I, meaning Biden, am taking a drastic and unprecedented step, then it undermines the message to say “and who knows who will be the person to lead the effort?!?”
It could be something like, "The nation faces an emergency, and I have regretfully concluded that I may not be the person to save us from it. I am absolutely confident that there are many Dems who can meet this moment, and that the party will choose the right one." (still, lots of other probs, tho)
The only imperative right now is that Biden make it over the finish line in Nov.
Rather than a convention shakeup, assurances should take the form of “I’ve got a deep bench of brilliant advisors and strong VP. You’ll be electing the stability of my entire competent administration.”
I think another underlying issue to your point is the dearth of black pols who are popular with progressive white libs and older black voters, such that finding a 1:1 replacement to Kamala seems impossible—someone in the coalition will be left in the cold.
The grand theatrics of defense of the Constitution has an earnestness that floats above the political machination of open convention. I think that is vital for him to come out of this looking strong, almost saint-like
The idea of a magical unicorn is a DC/NY brainworm. Seriously. Harris has to be the nominee or the coalition falls apart and the vast majority of those who want Biden to step aside picture Harris doing the same.
It's like debating how many angels can fit on the head of a pin. Complete wankery.
Black women have been the absolute bedrock of the actual-voter coalition the democrats have and the insult to them of bypassing Harris for an open convention is brain dead ridiculous to me.
my piece is primarily concerned with the need for the Bidens to seriously grapple with whether he has it in him to avoid making any more mistakes of this magnitude in the future
So basically his mistake is being old.
Whereas his opponent, also old, is a compulsive lying rapist, fascist who quite plausibly could change the Republic.
But, yeah, Biden being old and not as quick to respond is what we should be worried about.
