Replace Joe Biden
All natural disasters are different. Tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes vary in many ways, such as their formation and the damage they cause. However, all natural disasters tend to exhibit one common trait: their effects are irreversible, and the only thing victims can do is adjust to the new reality. Similarly, Democrats need to adapt to the political trainwreck that is Joe Biden's presidential campaign, with the most crucial adjustment being to consider a new Democratic nominee.
Since his disastrous debate last month, President Biden has faced a meltdown in his political career, and his refusal to drop out has created a political maelstrom. The debate confirmed Democrats' worst fears about Joe Biden: he doesn't have the stamina to win another term as President. The perception that Biden is weak and distrusted over his ability to keep America safe has always been a problematic narrative surrounding him. His debate performance caused a firestorm because, rather than being a singularly bad moment, it played into this larger narrative by providing the most apparent evidence to date that Biden was cognitively diminished.
As the 81-year-old President got off the debate stage in Atlanta last week, the public was not just horrified but deeply concerned about his beleaguered state, and questions about his age and mental acuity began to arise. Throughout the debate, Biden failed to score points on issues such as abortion. Furthermore, the President's tone made him, at times, incoherent, and his body language made him hard to watch. The debate indicated to anyone watching that something was wrong with the President. This was shocking, considering this was the same man who had destroyed Paul Ryan in a vice presidential debate 12 years ago. The truth is that Biden has been painted as incompetent by the media, and many across the political spectrum question why the White House has hidden his condition from the public. This lack of trust in his team has created fear and anger among the Democratic donor class. Due to the chaos this ordeal has caused and the irrevocable damage to his campaign, Biden must be replaced as the Democratic nominee for President.
I understand that President Biden has had his fair share of accomplishments, and as Democrats, we will always be grateful for his service to our country. However, it's essential not only to look at the past but also to keep an eye on the future. Can Joe Biden lead the party with the political damage done to his campaign? The answer is no because, over the past four years, Biden has consistently had the worst approval ratings of almost any modern President; some 80 percent of Americans don't believe Biden should run for reelection. So, we must ask, why are we Democrats trying to force this candidacy down people's throats? There is nothing to gain besides giving Biden the satisfaction of running again.
However, we will lose everything if Trump wins again. The threat to our democracy is real. A second Trump presidency would not only normalize vendetta politics but also present a real possibility of radical partisans like Stephen Miller and Kash Patel being given significant cabinet posts such as Attorney General and CIA director, which would pose clear national security risks due to their penchant for undermining the intelligence community and desire to misuse government power to achieve their political goals.
Democrats must be smart about this and select someone younger and more dynamic. I believe Kamala Harris isn't the best choice as a replacement, and coronating her as the nominee would be a grave mistake. The general public equivalently disapproves of her, and her prosecutorial record is a disaster. I believe a person should have a record that embodies our values, and her record, in retrospect, is disappointing. Furthermore, the nominee can only have legitimacy if the delegates elect them in a fair process. However, an open convention can be messy and lead to a convention that divides our party.
The only solution lies in a "mini-primary" that would help Democrats select a proper nominee. The "mini-primary" would start with Biden being convinced to step aside and, in consultation with the DNC, choose 5-8 prominent politicians who could be our nominee. Then, over a few weeks, there will be multiple televised town halls and debates where the candidates will question their records and fitness to be President. Afterward, the delegates will vote in a ranked-choice system on who will be their nominee. The ranked-choice system will ensure that a widely approved nominee is chosen. The vote will take place a little while before the convention to ensure that the nominee will have the convention to get out there and give a clear message to the American people. This process is the best because it will show that Democrats are choosing their nominee in an open and transparent process with credibility. Finally, this process will allow us to select our strongest choice.
However, it's important to point out that this process can only work if Biden drops out voluntarily or involuntarily. We can win this fight against Trump, but we can only do that if we put our best foot forward. Let's find a nominee who can unite our country and be a great President. Let's make the right decision before it's too late.
