I understand all the arguments against President Biden abandoning his reelection campaign. I really do. I’ve spoken with Bidenworld insiders. I can list the practical challenges of pushing an incumbent president out the door, and I know people are determined to ignore the arguments against President Biden abandoning his reelection campaign. new worrying polls. I know the dark history of similar attempts. And I have long given great weight to these factors when assessing the electoral mess facing Democrats.
But now. …
While I still see the logic and anxiety behind the stay-the-course argument, the fundamental equation has changed. I bet most die-hard Biden supporters realize this, even if they can’t admit it—even to themselves. So I thought it was worth reviewing some of the most common rationales I hear and why they ring increasingly hollow.
Let’s start with the most important thing. Yes, Donald Trump’s debate performance was abysmal. He lied. He dodged. He rambled and raved. He was incoherent at times. But that doesn’t matter because Biden was unable to respond to even the most blatant nonsense. And that, my friends, is political misconduct. So let’s move on.
Yes, Trump is a terrible person and has been a terrible president. Like many of you, I think he is unfit for political office. But nearly half the country disagrees, and even many people who don’t like him much wonder whether he is actually a worse choice than a president who, at any moment, could look like your dad shocked after a few sips of schnapps. If people weren’t convinced before this crisis, they won’t be convinced now. So let’s move on.
Yes, the debate may have been a particularly bad night for Biden. No matter: His failure fit the dominant narrative that he was too old. And that led to a series of accounts of similar moments in his old age. Biden loyalists can lecture voters not to overreact. But that won’t change what people saw. So… move on.
Yes, the debate preparation may have been too vigorous or too lax. Or conducted at the wrong time or after too much travel. And Biden’s attire may have been shoddy — which, let me say, it was not. warned everyone about But people are going to have reservations about a president who seems so fragile, who can only function between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Move on.
Sure, Biden has done a good job as president and surrounded himself with good people. But even voters who applaud his record may not be comfortable giving him four more years. And it’s not particularly reassuring to say, “Oh, don’t worry about him! His aides will run things.”
Yes, it would be complicated to replace Biden. His obvious heir, Kamala Harris, has a popularity problem, and pushing her aside and opening the door to other contenders would open the door to factional infighting and disruption. But that doesn’t mean replacing him is the worst or riskiest option. There are times when the path of least resistance is the one that leads to total disaster. That is increasingly the case today.
Yes, Democrats are notorious for overreacting. And yet: have you listened to voters? Because they have been saying for some time now that they think Biden is too old. And continuing to lecture them that they are wrong is not a winning strategy, especially for a Democratic Party that often comes across as disapproving and condescending.
Which brings us to what may well be the most damning defense attempt.
Of course, Democrats overwhelmingly chose Biden as their nominee. He’s the sitting president, and that’s usually how reelection campaigns work. But that makes it even worse, because many Americans feel cheated about his physical and cognitive fitness. They suspect his team is hiding important things from them. That’s a truly destructive message to send to a nation where trust in government and other institutions is already at an all-time low.
So yes. I understand all the concerns about Biden’s withdrawal from the scene. I can’t believe them anymore.
