If Joe Biden becomes the Democratic nominee against Donald Trump this fall, it will be the easiest thing ever for me to vote for him.
Still, I join those who believe Biden should stop seeking reelection, give him the respect he deserves and help unite the party. Tournament Next month’s presidential election will likely select a younger, more dynamic candidate who will not only stand a chance of beating President Trump but also serving another four years in office.
Opinion columnist
Jackie Calmus
Jackie Calmes brings a critical perspective to the national political landscape. She has decades of experience covering the White House and Congress.
For the record:
July 10, 2024 6:19 PMAn earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the star of the joke was Jimmy Kimmel. The correct comedian is Jimmy Fallon.
As others have said, I would say this. absolutely It is clear to me that a weakened president must pass the baton. I can’t. I’m still undecided. Biden won reelection by restoring normalcy and decency after the Trump administration and by providing a great track record. And the risks associated with the unprecedented and unknown process by which the Democrats decide on a replacement are real. Their potential for chaos and division are all to Trump’s advantage. I stopped jumping This comes on the heels of Biden’s disastrous debate performance.
But two weeks later, the bigger risk seems to be that Biden stays in the race, loses and hands the keys back to someone who should never set foot in the Oval Office again. To tell Retired Gen. John F. Kelly spoke about the possibility:, A sentiment shared by many Many former Trump aidesA major Republican defeat could also mean Democrats lose control of the House and Senate.
That’s not the legacy Biden wants.
The president’s frozen head, clumsy responses and blank, open-mouthed expression at the June 27 debate were bad enough to mask Trump’s constant barrage of lies. But what’s infuriating, and what has made me decide to oppose Biden, is the complete failure since then of him and his staff to recognize the peril they face. “One Terrible Night” — and get Biden to act accordingly.
After the debate, we should have seen unscripted presidents on a daily basis, not sporadic appearances at the White House or on the campaign trail; marathon press conferences; impromptu calls to leaders and allies in Congress and state capitals; and, of course, a battery of neurological tests followed by the president’s physician explaining the results on camera and reassuring us that all was well for an 81-year-old man with the most stressful job on the planet.
Biden and his campaign finally launched such a relief operation on Monday. Had some successBut that came after some Democrats publicly called on the president to abandon the nomination. letter “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the agenda ahead will only help Mr. Trump and hurt us,” he told congressional Democrats. to call the friendly hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show (“I’m not going anywhere”); meeting Conference calls with the House’s black, Hispanic and progressive caucuses, calls with hundreds of donors, and the announcement of additional campaign locations.
But Biden refused to undergo a neurological test, saying “nobody said I had to.” Refuted When ABC News reporter George Stephanopoulos asked Trump on Friday whether he had taken or planned to take such a test, Trump responded, “Look, I take cognitive tests every day. … I don’t just run a campaign, I run the world.”
Just as the Biden frenzy intensified this week as Congress returned from its summer recess, world leaders also gathered in Washington for a NATO summit marking the 75th anniversary of the organization’s founding, adding to already heightened anxiety among senior officials about a possible Trump return. “I won’t lose to Trump” Opposing organizations The threat he poses Support for NATO and Russia’s support for Ukraine’s war efforts are up for debate. (One debate moment overshadowed by Biden’s gaffe was Trump’s uncomfortable response — a dismissive shrug — when Biden asked him if he would withdraw the U.S. from NATO.)
Biden may have stopped the bleeding in Congress for now. Scattered calls by Democrats for his resignation earlier this week were outnumbered by new public statements of support. But I’m not convinced because I completely agree with Biden: Democrats are at risk. Where we disagree is whether Biden can preserve our democracy by defeating Trump.
Strategists who helped elect the last two Democratic presidents, Bill Clinton’s mentor James Carville and Barack Obama’s mentor David Axelrod, no longer believe Biden can win. Carville wrote in The New York Times on Monday: was suggested There will be several town hall meetings for replacement candidates before the convention begins on August 19. (But Biden must drop out first, which Carville said is a step forward.)–Axelrod told CNN column The paper on Friday cited a post-debate poll that concluded Biden “will be defeated in a landslide victory by the lawless and unpopular former president.”
Axelrod’s portrayal of Trump aptly captures the tragic irony of the Biden story: A good man, a good president, is being pushed off the stage while Republicans next week formally nominate a bad man who led the country. Worst PresidentIn the historian’s ranking, Jimmy Fallon put it (Because he can find humor where I can’t) “For almost two weeks the media has been calling on a candidate to withdraw from the race, and for some reason, it’s not a convicted felon.” (That felon, I might add, is also a convicted sexual abuser and financial fraudster.)
It’s sad to be a booster for Biden, but this election is more important than Biden. If Biden steps down, the Democratic Party can rally around Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris is the other half of the Democratic primary voters’ choice and is the only alternative to Biden who has access to Biden and Harris’ money. The delegates at the convention can choose Harris’ running mate. My choice is the wonderful Andy Beshear, who was the governor of Kentucky for two terms.
Things may get messy, but I believe the stakes will keep the Democrats together. And will they win? Polls in a hypothetical race are a game of chance. But a new, young candidate from the Democratic base could add excitement to a showdown where half the electorate is unhappy with the election results.
Of course, if Biden stays in office, I will vote for him, preparing for the worst and hoping for the best: four more years.
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