Democrats are grappling with the fallout from President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, with murmurs within the party about potentially replacing him as the nominee. However, such discussions reveal a profound dilemma that Democrats have brought upon themselves.
The sudden wishful thinking among Democratic operatives and media pundits ignores the stark reality: the Biden we saw on debate night is the same Biden who has been in office for three years. Attempting to downplay Biden’s evident decline and convince voters otherwise has boxed Democrats into a corner as the truth becomes increasingly undeniable.
Beyond the logistical challenges of replacing Biden lies a fundamental betrayal of Democratic voters. The Democratic National Committee’s cancellation of debates and the removal of primary challengers from state ballots have deprived voters of a meaningful choice, only to potentially handpick Biden’s successor behind closed doors.
Imagine the uproar if Democratic elites circumvent voters’ voices by installing a replacement nominee at the eleventh hour. The backlash would be profound, exposing the hypocrisy of a party that claims to champion democracy while undermining its own primary process.
Furthermore, the potential replacement of Biden with someone other than Vice President Kamala Harris could ignite a racial firestorm within the Democratic Party. The prospect of choosing a white candidate like Gov. Gavin Newsom or Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg over Harris, who was previously favored by influential figures like Rep. Jim Clyburn, risks fracturing the party along racial lines.
Harris herself presents challenges. Polling indicates she fares no better than Biden among independents, with significant doubts about her ability to lead effectively. Her political missteps and perceived lack of authenticity echo Biden’s decline, presenting Democrats with yet another unappealing option.
In their efforts to deceive the public about Biden’s fitness for office, Democrats have painted themselves into a lose-lose-lose scenario. Whether they stick with Biden, pivot to Harris, or opt for another candidate, each choice carries significant drawbacks and potential for internal strife. It’s a predicament entirely of their own making, where even Biden, despite his evident decline, may ironically remain their most viable option.
