A sense of unease and concern is spreading among a group of Democrat party leaders and operatives regarding the potential outcome of the upcoming election between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Anxiety has transformed into palpable trepidation as they grapple with the possibility of Trump returning to power.
The apprehension about Trump’s resurgence emerges just before Biden is expected to secure the Democrat party’s nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Some Democrats are contemplating a three-step political process to replace Biden at the convention, contingent on Biden voluntarily stepping aside.
Recent polls in swing states indicate that Trump could secure victory over Biden in November. Critical states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina are likely to determine the election’s outcome. If Trump wins even one of the pivotal states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, or Wisconsin, Biden’s path to reaching the required 270 electoral votes becomes narrower.
Previously confident Democrat officeholders and strategists now harbor a pervasive sense of fear regarding Biden’s potential loss. Poor polling numbers have contributed significantly to this apprehension, leading to what some describe as a “freakout” within the Democrat apparatus.
Some Democrat operatives and advisors have started compiling lists of reasons why Biden could lose, including factors like polling data, immigration policies, economic concerns, and Biden’s age. The diminishing list of reasons why Biden could win reflects a growing sense of pessimism within certain circles.
Longtime Democrat strategist Pete Giangreco expressed concerns about framing the election as a comparison between Biden’s tenure and Trump’s presidency, fearing that such a narrative would not favor Biden. Rep. Ritchie Torres echoed these sentiments, lamenting the competitive nature of the race despite what he described as the shortcomings of Trump’s leadership.
The prevailing sentiment among these Democrat leaders and operatives underscores the high stakes and intense emotions surrounding the upcoming election, highlighting the complexity and uncertainty of the political landscape.