Follow-up post on Biden v Trump Debate
82) You can only control what’s in front of you, not the outside noise
The passion that last Thursday’s debate surmised in everyone is rather refreshing, as I felt like we as an American electorate have essentially been sleep-walking into November.
While my initial post did not go far and wide like an Ezra Klein’s or a Nate Silver’s, I did get some interesting feedback via email text and conversation (along with what was written in the comments section).
One defense of Biden that I hear somewhat frequently, is how it’s Trump that needs to step down, not Biden. - Philadelphia Inquirer calls on Donald Trump to Drop Out: NY POST (06/30/2024)
Calling for Trump to step down is a Republican party matter. They already made their bed. Democrats have very little say over who the GOP nominee is. You can blame that on a number of reasons, but it still points back to Republicans continuous willingness to acquiesce and elevate Trump. -McConnell & Trump’s Unholy Alliance: The Guardian (March 11, 2024)
Unlike the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, is not a cult of personality. Hence why this intra-party debate about whether Biden should stay or go, is happening (in earnest) now.
*BREAKING NEWS - JULY 01, 2024*
While the focus of this article is on the “Biden Dilemma” and Election 2024 - in other news, compliments of the Supreme Court:
TRUMP V. UNITED STATES
The Supreme Court ruled by a 6-3 majority that
Former presidents can never be prosecuted for actions relating to the core powers of their office, and that there is at least a presumption that they have immunity for their official acts more broadly. The decision left open the possibility that the charges brought against former President Donald Trump by Special Counsel Jack Smith – alleging that Trump conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election – can still go forward to the extent that the charges are based on his private conduct, rather than his official acts.
Amy Howe. SCOTUSBLOG 07/01/2024
All this case does is just sets a new precedent for this court - where in the event that Trump wins the Presidency again, that federal cases against him will no longer be allowed to proceed. But, if he loses they will proceed.
“Supreme Court says presidents have ‘absolute’ immunity for clearly official acts but no immunity for unofficial acts”. Washington Post 07/01/2024
The concern with Biden stepping down and his team feeling forced to elevate Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee is somewhat real. However, the anger the #KHive would feel if Vice President Harris was passed over, seems to be somewhat overblown.
Having said that, the lifeblood of all political campaigns is money! And this is where the strongest possible replacement for Biden becomes a rather sticky issue. https://www.followthemoney.org/
Biden’s campaign manager says that if Biden were to step down, most of the money he fundraised would go to Harris.
During a tense call with a group of about 40 of Biden’s top financial backers, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez laid out what could and could not be done with the campaign’s infrastructure if Biden were to step aside while emphasizing throughout the call that he had no intention of doing so.
Most of the campaign’s significant war chest would fall to Vice President Kamala Harris, Chavez Rodriguez said, according to two people familiar with the discussion. Only a smaller pool of money would be kept by the Democratic National Committee.
While earlier polls showed how weak of a match-up Harris would be against Trump, I find it hard to believe she would be weaker than Biden is now.
A realclearpolitics *poll from months ago puts Trump ahead of Harris by a 49.3% to 42.7% margin. https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/general/2024/trump-vs-harris
*I’m not posting any recent poll numbers between Biden V. Trump, because everything out now doesn’t take into account last week’s debate performance. But, we all know that there will be updated polls for all potential matchups against Trump, coming out very soon.
None of the news over the last few days is good for Biden (except maybe his fundraising numbers). This all points to growing pains within the Democratic Party. Which, as many people note, might feel bad now, but might be ultimately good for the long-term health and strength of the party.
Sign of a healthy political party: politicalwire.com (06/29/2024)
Why I want an open convention: politicalwire.com (07/01/2024)
This does not have to be so complicated. Just because there was a complacency about putting Biden up for re-election before, doesn’t mean we need to go down that path now. Your average American deals with mini-crisis’ and inflection points throughout their lives, where a person has to make immediate decisions with potentially devastating consequences.
Just because a number of influential people within the Democratic Party say its too late to change candidates at this point in the race, does not mean they are correct. Politics is fluid, and candidates come and go throughout every election cycle, even under the most inopportune of circumstances.
Ezra Klein’s 15 minute monologue/mini-podcast episode on the choices ahead for the Democratic Party is quite good.
I know the guru of Election Predictions, Allan Lichtman (and his 13 keys to winning the White House) says debates have zero impact on Presidential Elections. But, when a poor debate performance fits into the narrative of a President who is shielded from public appearances, who limits his interviews and who is completely flabbergasted and flat-footed without a teleprompter, then there is a problem.
NY Times Critical of Biden for avoiding interviews - Politico.com (04/25/2024)
The fact that Team Trump loves their chances against Biden, and doesn’t want him replaced, should tell you everything you need to know.
I say, let this thing get messy! The Democratic Party has screwed up enough elections, that them sitting around and allowing the Biden candidacy to keep tumbling down the hill would be incomprehensible. If Democracy is really on the ballot, then let Democracy do its work and find someone that the people actually want to match up against Trump.
*As today’s Supreme Court ruling on “Trump’s immunity” just showed - THE STAKES FOR THIS ELECTION CAN NOT POSSIBLY BE ANY HIGHER! The Supreme Court’s disastrous Trump immunity decision, explained - Ian Millhiser, VOX.COM (07/01/2024)*
This was an excellent spoof by SNL, done over a year ago. Too bad it still feels all too real.
-JPJ
