It's Time. Biden Needs to Say to Harris, "It's Your Turn Now."
By: David Rothkopf (The New Republic)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Joe Biden has had a great presidency. By any objective metric, he has excelled as president. One of his top aides, who worked closely with him in the Obama White House, said to me last year, "I had no idea when he was vice president that he would be so effective as president. He has exceeded my expectations in every way."
Now Biden has an opportunity to produce the perfect capstone for his presidency, an act of wisdom and leadership that will seal his legacy as being among the best of this country's chief executives. He can pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. He can look to his effective and talented vice president and say, "It is your turn now." He can work with other party leaders, including ex-presidents Obama and Clinton, to ensure her victory.
By far the most undeniable message of the debate that took place on the evening of June 27 between Biden and former President Donald Trump was that neither America nor the world can risk a Trump victory. Trump, already established as having the worst record of any president in U.S. history, as a convicted criminal, a fraud, a rapist, and a traitor, must not win in November.
On Thursday night, Trump made it clear that if he's reelected we could expect even worse than we got the last time around. We understand the patterns of his lies because lies are all he ever offers, and during this debate he unleashed an endless stream of them. But when the lie is that we have to stop post-birth abortions (which are not even a thing) and leave the choice about the future of abortion to the states, we know that means that neither he nor the MAGA GOP will stop at gutting Roe v. Wade. When he equivocates about whether he will accept election results in November or dodges questions about whether he will weaponize the justice system to attack his enemies and then offers an absurd list of Biden "crimes," we know a Trump win will usher in a police state in America. When he promises to end the Ukraine war even before he is sworn in and then adds the outrageous assertion that it was Biden's fault the war took place and that "millions died needlessly," without a hint of condemnation of Putin, we know what it means. If Trump won, Ukraine would be finished and so too would be NATO, the undoing of which, according to members of his own Cabinet, was on the unfinished business from his term in office.
Despite a deeply flawed format that made Trump's lies and threats to the future of the United States seem equivalent to Biden's earnest if sometimes garbled responses, the debate made two things crystal clear. One was that if Trump were to win reelection, he would usher in an era of authoritarian hate-fueled fascism that would be the end of the United States as we have known it. The other was that the only person who stood between us and that outcome was not the ideal man for the job.
Biden has not only been an excellent president but he is a good man. His decency shines when placed aside Trump's manifest corruption and odiousness. But we could barely see those core Joe Biden virtues during the debate because he was clearly not himself. It is not just that he stumbled or sounded hoarse or appeared halting or that he failed to effectively fact-check Trump. It was that it was hard to watch Biden and imagine that for the remaining four and a half months of this tight race, he was going to be up to giving Trump the sound and convincing beating that his record and the menace he poses warrant.
This was not about, as some pundits and reflexive Biden defenders would have it, a bad debate performance. It was not just that somehow Biden was falling victim to the history incumbents have of lousy first debates. Because this situation is not like any other.
There has never before been a threat to our country or system so grave or imminent as the reelection of Donald Trump. We can't afford to leave any aspect of the campaign against him to chance. We can't afford an effort against him that is anything less than the best that can be given, that is compromised in any way.
What is more, the concerns about Biden were not just about his debate performance. They were about how risky it would be to assume that somehow he was just having an off night and that he would regain his mojo and finish strong over the course of the next grueling four and a half months of campaigning. That might be possible. But because it was not assured and because the menace of Trump was so apparent, the side-by-side imagery offered last night was, in the view of one of the most senior Democrats in Washington, confiding in me, "terrifying."
Like many others here in D.C., I was inundated with calls and texts and emails last night from friends who were active Democrats, among the strongest Biden supporters you will ever find, people who you would assume were the president's first line of defense. All of them without exception expressed deep fear at what might happen if Biden continued as the candidate. Many speculated as to how he could be encouraged to step aside. One suggested the right path was to first convince Jill Biden that he should not run. Others said that a group of leaders including top Democrats on Capitol Hill or former presidents should do it. But all, without exception, said there is no time to spare; we must act now.
Indeed, one of the compelling arguments for urgency and how difficult a handover might be has to do with election logistics. Ohio has, for example, set a deadline for candidates to get on the ballot that is before the Democratic convention. Dems had figured out a workaround to have Biden officially declared the candidate even before then. Could that be done for anyone else? Quickly enough?
It is unlikely Biden will step down as the candidate. But it is undeniable that better candidates exist and that if it is critical Trump be defeated, Democrats must field the very best possible candidate. There is a long list of Democrats who could do the job and beat Trump handily. In my view, Kamala Harris has grown in office to such a degree and is so effective on what should be the essential issues of this race—like defending the basic freedoms of women that are under assault from the MAGA right—that she is the natural candidate. No one would better carry forward the Biden legacy. And stepping away from her would be hugely and dangerously divisive—a battle the party can ill afford for all the reasons cited above. (Whether Biden stays or goes, Harris must have a much larger and more central role in the campaign than many envisioned. She is its strongest asset.)
Indeed, a Harris-Whitmer ticket, two women, two proven leaders, two voices of a new generation in American politics, two people with links to vital aspects of the coalition that can deliver a big electoral victory for Democrats, would be immensely powerful. It would win, and that victory would assure the continuity of the work of the current administration and that the election held this November will not be the last in U.S. history.
But such debates are not for the idle speculation of columns like this one. Rather, in the wake of last night's debate, it is essential that Democrats begin by acknowledging they have a problem. Next, a deeply serious discussion about whether Biden is the candidate must take place. If a change can be made at the top of the ticket, then do not hesitate to make it. The clock is ticking. And if that is not a possibility, then find a solution that recognizes Biden's limitations. That could mean running not behind one man but as a movement, as the Democratic Party, as a coherent team of people with a clear vision for the future, a stake in that future and the ability to frame the peril posed by Trump for what it is.
I know which course I and many of the other senior Democrats with whom I have spoken would prefer in the wake of last night's debate. But in either case, that debate can ultimately be seen as a positive if it forces the Democrats to reassess, reorganize, and recommit themselves to meeting that historic and consequential challenge that lies before us all—preserving our democracy and the freedoms so many have fought for so many generations to create and preserve.
Tags
Who is online
537 visitors
Yeah, I get it. He's old. But he surrounds himself with the best and not America's Most Wanted.
The horror of it all !!!!
Joe Biden is old.
Trump is either bat shit crazy or the biggest liar in American history.
"Yes, but Biden is old, didnt you notice that"?
CNN's fact checker said Trump lied at least 30 times last night, and listed them . I think a comprehensive total would be higher. Yet all people can dwell on is that Biden is old.
I feel sorry for our country.
No John, what the country is talking about is how incompetent he is and his inability to carry out the duties of the presidency. not his age or infirmities. He is mentally deficient, and that was made obvious to everyone who watched even his most ardent supporters in the media.
Throw in Joe's policies and he is a complete and utter wreck.
What was incompetent about what Biden said last night, other than the one sentence about Medicare?
Nothing, but he looked old .
Being young looking is not a requirement for a president. Physical appearance is secondary.
There is ZERO evidence that Biden doesnt carry out his duties in a normal way.
Meanwhile Trump made dozens of obvious lies.
The shameful media isnt talking much about that this morning, are they?
Exactly, they should be pointing out how Biden failed to capitalize on them.
Seriously John, the entire world is saying he is incompetent. it's only his most ardent supporters are denying what they saw.
BIDEN: Look, there’s so many young women who have been – including a young woman who just was murdered and he – he went to the funeral. The idea that she was murdered by a – by –by an immigrant coming in, and they talk about that. But here’s the deal, there’s a lot of young women who are being raped by their – by their in-laws, by their – by their spouses, brothers and sisters, by – just – it’s just – it’s just ridiculous. And they can do nothing about it."
BIDEN: Because we worked very hard to get a bipartisan agreement that not only changed all of that, but it made sure that we are in a situation where you had no circumstance where they could come across the border with the number of border police there are now. We significantly increased the number of asylum officers. Significantly – by the way, the Border Patrol men endorsed me, endorsed my position.
In addition to that, we found ourselves in a situation where, when he was president, he was taking – separating babies from their mothers, putting them in cages, making sure the families were separated. That’s not the right way to go.
What I’ve done – since I’ve changed the law, what’s happened? I’ve changed it in a way that now you’re in a situation where there are 40 percent fewer people coming across the border illegally. That’s better than when he left office.
And I’m going to continue to move until we get the total ban on the – the total initiative relative to what we’re going to do with more Border Patrol and more asylum officers.
BIDEN: Look, he encouraged those folks to go up on Capitol Hill, number one. I sat in that dining room off the Oval Office – he sat there for three hours, three hours watching, begging, being begged by his vice president and a number of his colleagues and Republicans as well to do something, to call for a stop, to end it. Instead, he talked – they’ve talked about these people being patriots and – and great patrons of America.
In fact, he says he’ll not forgive them for what they’ve done. They’ve been convicted. He says he wants to commute their sentences and say that, no, he went to every single court in the nation, I don’t know how many cases, scores of cases, including the Supreme Court. And they said they said – they said, no, no, this guy, this guy is responsible for doing what is being – was done. He didn’t do a damn thing. And these people should be in jail. And they should be the ones who are being held accountable. And he wants to let them all out.
We find ourselves in a position where the idea that we’re not doing any – I put more – we put more police on the street than any administration has. He wants to cut the cops. We’re providing for equity, equity, and making sure people have a shot to make it. There is a lot going on. But, on inflation, he caused it by his tremendous amount of seasons in the way he handled the pandemic.
The democrats have to do better than Harris or trump is going to win.
I’d recommend they try to grab either the governor from Kansas, Kentucky, or Michigan. All 3 are much younger, and best of all moderate on most issues.
But yeah, if they stick with Biden or have Harris run Trump is going to win. Biden made sure of that by looking every bit 81 last night.
"Joe Biden has had a great presidency. By any objective metric, he has excelled as president."
Too funny! And all the left can respond with is that Trump told a few more "lies" than Biden did?
All politicos lie and exaggerate and spin and deflect, and Biden is right up there with the best (or worst) of them.
Believe it or not, that disastrous for Biden debate put Trump across the finish line and sealed the election for the Republicans.
We live in an idiocracy.
Yes, anybody who can still support Biden after what we all witnessed last night supports your statement.
It’s not supporting Biden but keeping trump away from the WH. Same as 2020z
I assume you 100% agree.
It’s time for the 25th Amendment, but it’s only going to work if he goes willingly. Harris would never do it against his wishes, and if it came down to him resisting, it goes to Congress. That requires 2/3 of both houses, and that’s never going to happen.
Biden needs to step aside. That debate was his chance to show that he is mentally and physically capable of doing the job for another 4 years, and he absolutely shit the bed. Joe Biden is not going to win the election now.
The democrats still have time to get someone else out there and get them some exposure, but that window is closing fast. Trump is still as dumb and intolerable as ever, and the majority of the country still doesn’t like him, all the Dems have to do is run a centrist in their 40s or 50s that the cameras like and they will win.
Who would make that list in your opinion ?
“Biden needs to step aside.”
That decision will not be made by his advisers, by Obama, or by any commentator or poll.
It lies with his wife…here is hoping Jill will do what is difficult, but necessary, and counsel her husband and allow him the only opportunity to graciously step away.
A New York Times editorial just called for Biden to step down.
He has the opportunity to make the most difficult decision a politician can take. He has nothing to be ashamed of, as he has been a participant in our government for over half-a-century and has done nothing but serve to the best of his abilities.
His legacy will be remembered forever should he allow another to take the reins in an effort to keep an actual danger to the country he has honorably served from returning to office.
What a feckless newspaper.
If joe stays in his legacy will be the man that cared more about being president than he cared for the country.
We will see if it works.