As a Democrat, I was hoping for a much better showing by President Joe Biden in last week’s debate, but this did not happen. Because of the event’s utter awfulness, we were among probably millions of viewers who had to turn it off after the first 15 or 20 minutes.
Since then, I’ve read and heard many commentors on that evening’s sad demonstration of the qualification for national and world leadership of the candidates of our two political parties.
Regarding former President Trump, who rarely if ever actually answered the question asked, I suppose it’s accurate to characterize most of his debate comments as constant lying and blustering, which I realize appeals to many to his supporters as just “Trump being Trump.”
Regarding President Biden’s lackluster performance, albeit with honest answers, I have to agree with Democratic political strategist David Axelrod, who in a post-debate panel discussion said former President Trump would “face trouble’ if President Biden is replaced at the top of the Democratic ticket. This is exactly what needs to happen now.
What has been missing from commentary about President Biden’s performance is that now, in effect, he is at the top of his game. I can tell you as a fellow octogenarian that as the years go by one’s mental and physical capabilities only decline and never improve. He would be 82 at the beginning of a second term and 86 at its end We have just seen how he functions at present, so what can we expect in toward the end of a second term in 2029?
I hope that former Presidents Clinton and Obama, as well as the predictable decline in his polling statistics and fundraising numbers, will persuade President Biden it’s time to withdraw as Democratic candidate in time for the mid-August convention in Chicago to select a proper successor.
In my judgment, President Biden has been an excellent chief executive who was the right man at the right time. And he would have accomplished much more had it not been for the many impediments caused directly and indirectly by Mr. Trump through the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court. He should retire from his lifetime of distinguished public service now, at the end of this term, rather than continue his campaign at risk of electoral loss to himself, his party, and the United States.
Gerry Early
Easton
Charles Barranco says
Mr. Early,
President Biden has been the right man for the job and as you will remember, he said he was saving the Country from Trump. He did and the Country and World are far better for it! Joe Biden also said he would leave after one term. Wouldn’t it be nice if he could be convinced that the best thing he could do for the country and Democracy would be to step down and allow a younger candidate take his place.
Timing is critical and it must be done immediately. In UK, candidates are only allowed to campaign for a total of 90 days. It’s approximately four months or 120 days before the November election. I believe that is sufficient time for a candidate to campaign!
Since we agree that a younger candidate could easily settle the age issue, not be a criminal, not owe 1 billion in judgments; And not be in bed with three of the biggest dictators in the world ;
Who do you have in mind?
Gavin Newsom indicated he is not ready to run at this time. Perhaps he could change his mind. He has national recognition and would be an excellent candidate.
I’m wait My preference would be Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania. He’s 51 years old, Does not have national recognition, however, a vice president from a swing state could give him the desired exposure and pick up a needed swing state.
Governor Shapiro is well spoken, intelligent, and in my opinion would have no trouble crashing the national scene.
Your thoughts, Mr. Early.
Gerry Early says
I agree with everything you said. Since you ask, my candidate would be Gina Raimondo, former two-term governor of Rhode Island, Rhodes Scholar with doctorate and law degree and highly successful venture capitalist–and presently the very successful and much respected Secretary of Commerce. I keep seeing her colleague former Mayor Pete on short lists for Biden replacements and it seems to me she outstrips him in every way–although he’d be fine also.
Charles Barranco says
Again we agree on Gina Raimonodo. She was considered for VP in 2020.
Pete is brilliant! I hope he gets his chance!
Gerry Levin says
Sad but true. Whatever needs to be done to ensure trump doesn’t win. He will obviously destroy our country.
Bob Kopec says
Trump, convicted of 34 felonies, violent abuser of women, cheated on all 3 of his wives with prostitutes, habitual liar, insurectionist, name caller, friends with Kim Jung Um and Putin and is facing still more trials for his crimes – is UNFIT for ANY elected office.
Mickey Terrone says
I wonder why any Democrats think moving Biden out will make things so much better. Does anyone think Democrats will quickly coalesce around the Perfect Mr. or Ms. X? Within the Democratic Party’s Big Tent, I can see a mad scramble in the making.
Whomever finally secures the nomination will have a downside and Republicans will seize upon the new candidate’s limited record which couldn’t possibly equate to Biden’s record of accomplishments as president, nor his long legislative career in the US Senate. The new candidate wouldn’t be able to run on Biden’s successes with the infrastructure, lowering drug prices, uniting our NATO allies, supporting Ukraine, confronting Putin, jumpstarting the economy without creating a recession, protecting women’s reproductive rights and expanding the Affordable Care Act, among numerous other leadership achievements. Don’t forget, the US would have a strong, bipartisan immigration law passed if Trump hadn’t thugged his congressional lackies into killing the bill at the last moment because hedidn’t want Biden to have a legislative victory. Now they’re howling that we don’t have immigration control.
There is no perfect candidate and if Democrats don’t wake up to the immediate danger of losing our system of government completely to this raving nazi, we’ll lose the essence of our American spirit and soul, the very principles that all those veterans sacrificed and died for to defend democracy.
Biden has surrounded himself with a strong cabinet and advisors. Why worry about him finishing a second term? The only critical need for the country is that he can win the election and start his second term. What sense does it make for a Democrat not to vote for Biden because they think he’s too old? Does any Democrat think Trump is a better choice under any circumstances? Why would any self-respecting woman vote against Biden for Trump, convicted of assaulting a woman and bragging about grabbing them by their genitals? Why would any self-respecting immigrant vote for Trump, who promises to deport millions of them and calls them vermin, who are poisoning the blood of America? Why would any self-respecting African-American vote for that bigot who relies upon exciting his racist base to get elected?
Wake up, Democrats! This election is not about the environment or the economy or inflation or small business or any of the usual issues. Its about keeping a nazi out of the White House and defeating his lapdogs in both Houses of Congress before they turn this country into a brownshirt oligarchy.
trudy wonder says
I’m with you, Mickey. “There is no perfect candidate” – when are Dems going to learn this historically painful lesson? It feels like Hillary Clinton 2016 all over again, and you see where that got us. Contrast this with the GOP who has doubled down in a blood cult of sorts behind their tremendously flawed and dangerous candidate. With every new scandal, no matter how grotesque, they double down yet again. They understand this contest is not about finding the perfect person, it’s about retaining the seat. The presidency is not a single person, it’s an office, an administration. Voltaire said “Perfection is the enemy of the good.” I’ll take this a step further… at this moment in history, perfection is the enemy of democracy.
In terms of finding an alternate candidate… let’s get practical, finish the thought… Joe steps down. Now what?
Dems have a terrible track record of coalescing behind a strong candidate (let’s be honest, we nit-pick at every flaw or hiccup); there is no way on God’s green earth this same electorate who just called for his head after one debate performance will quickly agree to coalesce around the same candidate (everyone has their own ideas – they’re already digging in their heels for their pick!) to replace Joe in record time.
Next, there’s the public media ‘circus’ that will ensue as Republicans vet and dig into every possible flaw to exploit whoever it is. Items will surface that sound awful at first blush, and turn out to be nothing when that string is pulled. But will 4 months be enough time to get to the other side of this process with 126* million potential Dem voters, many of whom admittedly ‘don’t follow politics’ or consume news anymore?
There’s also the reality of needing to build strong, positive, rapid national name recognition for a new candidate. Most names I hear bandied about are well-known by high-information voters and/or within their state at best. Others are largely niche – I would argue Gina Raimondo falls into this camp. The electorate is not a homogeneous group. A campaign would need to appeal to black voters, latino/hispanic voters, LGBTQ+, etc. Campaigns are expensive. They require on-the-ground apparatus, funding. I understand Biden’s campaign war chest cannot be transferred.
Even if you still believe it’s doable, the logistical realities of getting on all 50 state ballots with different rules and qualifications should bring us back to earth. Red state governors and courts will do everything in their power (and then some) to prevent a replacement from making the ballot in their state – or in some other way, confusing voters in the voting process, to lessen chances that the Dems win. Lose just one of these states and we lose.
My final argument is one which will prove the folly of the ‘repeal and replace Joe’ argument wholeheartedly. Joe has a strong second in command now. A well-vetted successor candidate with 4 years of experience getting as close to the presidency as one can get. If something happens to Joe, Kamala is ready to step in. Cue the criticisms of “she’s not our best candidate”, though some believe she is. My point is, she is just one example of what will happen, regardless who we put forward. We need to get 126 million potential Dem voters to agree on who Mr/Mrs Right is. And we have 4 months from today to do it.
Our best move now is to do what Republicans have shown us works. ‘Stand by our man’, and do it with all we’ve got. It’s time to ‘double down’, not abandon ship.
* extrapolation for point of argument: 257,000,000 Americans are eligible to vote; 49% of registered voters are Dem or Dem-leaning; 48% are Republican/leaning.
Charles Barranco says
Ms Wonder,
Regretfully, I cannot agree with you and Mickey, although I respect your opinions. You both make excellent points, but I must question Joe Biden‘s mental acuity. It wasn’t a weak showing in a debate. It was watching him not respond to the many softballs he was fed by Trump. The lies and exaggerations were obvious. It should been easy to respond and crush Trump with his lies. Joe just couldn’t collect his thoughts and formulate an attack.
I would like to see a younger stronger candidate, however, if Joe stays in the race, I will certainly vote for him. He’s a good man, unquestionable.
John Hall says
There are those who are saying that one bad night will not determine the outome of election. I must be the only one who remembers the Nixon-Kennedy debate. It determined the outcome in one night. Television can be murder if you are not at the top of your game.
Paul Rybon says
Other than spit, yell, and throw things, President Biden did as well as could be expected. The real problem for the party is the platform which is ruining this country and his family crime activities that are just becoming known. The actual loser was Donald Trump, who, blessed with a plethora of winnable issues, failed to drive them home.