Sir,
Undoubtedly, there is increasing unease surrounding the recent unimpressive performance of US President, Joe Biden, in the presidential debate. Doubts are being raised about his cognitive ability, affecting the possibility of him seeking reelection.
However, it’s not a simple decision for the Democratic Party to replace Biden as their candidate. Indeed, conceding that the President is incapable of leading for another term might invite justified criticism from Republicans questioning his ability to fulfill the duration of his current term.
Respectfully,
Charles Smyth,
Kells, Co. Meath
Sir,
The latest performance of President Biden in the CNN debate has produced calls for his replacement by the Democratic Party, a proposal that may sound straightforward, but carries complicated implications.
The first question would be the successor, and evidently, the Democrats lack faith in Kamala Harris, or she would have stepped up by now. It’s no surprise that there are several Democratic senators and governors eyeing the presidency, making it challenging to unite around a single candidate.
The US election process contains two stages ─ the primary and general elections. The primaries are key as they filter candidates based on their positions, upbringing, debate prowess, and fundraising capabilities.
Looking back at the Republican primaries, one can observe how one-time frontrunners like Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio in 2016, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis in 2024 were overwhelmingly defeated by Donald Trump, demonstrating the intense competition for nomination.
Replacing Biden could result in fielding an unseasoned candidate in a national election, leading to unforeseeable consequences. Moreover, if Biden decides to stay put, forcing him out would pose a significant challenge.
Given that Biden has secured 3,894 out of 3,937 delegate votes in the Democratic primaries, his removal would be controversial.
Yours sincerely,
Contrary to the assumption that these appointees have a legal obligation to support Mr Biden, many of them have been selected by the Biden campaign itself. Persuading a majority of such steadfast supporters to betray their own president for an alternative will indeed be a rather hostile endeavour.
Despite the potential internal discord that may ensue, it may prove disheartening for some to learn that the Democrats might continue to back a familiar face over an unfamiliar one.
The alternatives Democrats are faced with present a scenario that is even more bleak than what Edward Luce outlined in his discourse, thereby making the plausible course of action less definite. Luce’s discussion falls short in thoroughly examining the chances of victory linked with different situations that may transpire if President Biden decides to step down.
The evident succession plan would seem to be Vice-President Kamala Harris, but consistent polling indicates that her odds of winning are even weaker than Mr Biden’s. Other candidates exist, but Governor Gavin Newsom of California may be the most favoured among them. The unity of Democrats behind a single candidate is improbable from the outset. Therefore, it’s likely that for Mr Newsom to emerge as the candidate, a brokered convention must take place, leading to Ms Harris being sidelined in his favour.
By doing so, the Democrats seriously risk alienating many black and female voters, and possibly instigating internal conflicts within the party, as Ms Harris arguably holds the valid claim to the nomination. The black and female voters form the foundation of the party’s support base, and any Democratic presidential candidate requires their unswerving support to secure a victory in November. Mr Newsom, being a white male, may prove difficult for this base to accept.
Adding to this the inadequate time any new nominee would have to engage the voters, the perceived illegitimacy due to the lack of primaries, and several other adverse factors, it’s highly sceptical if any situation where Mr Biden steps down would lead to a nominee with superior chances. Heading down this path may leave the Democrats in a damned if they do, damned if they don’t situation.
Dear Editor, – Historical lessons are myriad, the most poignant being that some individuals ultimately let their arrogance tarnish their own reputation. This is a sentiment expressed by Mr Frank E Bannister from Dublin 4.
In a separate note, observing the recent US election debate led me to conclusions different from many. While it was evident that Mr Biden wasn’t at his peak performance and appeared unwell, his wife Jill Biden’s statement about the arduous task of debating a dishonest person felt pertinent. Mr Trump constantly evaded the majority of questions put to him, choosing instead to reiterate stale talking points, primarily over immigration and his inflated perception of his presidency. The mediators were unsuccessful in maintaining any focus.
However, my observations did not discern any substantial mental deterioration in Mr Biden. Although, admittedly, Mr Trump’s conduct and statements did seem to disconcert him. Mr Biden’s array of facial expressions in response to Mr Trump’s scandalous and incredulous assertions felt more potent than any failed attempts at addressing his falsehoods. Such reactions show no signs of waning attention or focus. Moreover, his challenges might be attributed to the frustrations that Mr Trump’s egregious lies stirred within him.
Perhaps, adopting an alternate approach – such as disregarding Mr Trump entirely and directly addressing the enquiries – might have resulted in a different scenario. Nevertheless, I believe the Democrats’ decision to stay with him is correct, stated by Mr Michael Fitzgibbon from Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Lastly, President Biden’s illustrious career of public service deserves recognition. His contributions as a senator, followed by vice-president to Barack Obama and now as the president. His renown could be further enhanced by selflessly stepping aside and permitting a new contender to vie against Mr Trump. This is a hope expressed optimistically by Mr Philip Forbes from Monkstown, Co Dublin. – Yours, etc.