There seems to be a universal urge for Joe Biden to step down. This sentiment appears to be shared even by those who don’t openly profess it. “Everyone’s anticipating Joe’s departure,” expressed a prominent Democrat, while addressing the situation. Amidst all the chaos, Biden is spending his time in seclusion, constantly contemplating possible outcomes for his dubious choices. The Democratic party is muddling through this predicament in its own recognisable style.
I fondly recall the times I spent at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware during my childhood. I still savour the memory of the delightful French fries with vinegar that were a speciality of the boardwalk. However, my pleasant memories have been overshadowed by a distressing image that’s emerged lately. I picture the President in his dwelling place in Rehoboth, recuperating from Covid-19, isolating himself from anyone speaking the bitter truth, and fending off any Democratic legislators and contributors who caution him about the detrimental impact his actions are having on his party as well as the nation.
It disheartens me to realise that Biden seems blind to the unavoidable truth – either he exits with dignity now, or he faces the risk of being forever known as a pariah, thereby tarnishing his legacy. The pursuit for the seat of the President has boiled down to two stubborn and deluded old men, painting a rather gloomy picture of the current political landscape.
Concerning the professionals in Washington DC who have been protecting Biden so far – having concealed his true state, misled the media by discrediting his apparent age concerns, shielded the president from his declining chances of victory, and seemingly prioritised their own interests, the future seems quite bleak. It’s more than likely they’ll be replaced soon.
Adding to the astonishment, even while the Republicans appear to be rising strong from Milwaukee, full of optimism, Biden’s core team continues to lead a disastrous campaign, seemingly indifferent to the changing situation.
Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the chairwoman of Biden’s campaign, recently appeared on Morning Joe and asserted that the current polls are not as unfavourable as they seem. Reinforcing Biden’s dedication to the campaign, Dillon pointed out that 76% of the 100,000 households approached last week voiced their support for Biden. However, in an contrasting move, she later encouraged her team to disregard cable news, declaring that Americans are generally not cable news viewers.
On the same day, Vice President Kamala Harris felt the need to reassure distressed donors via a phone call. However, the convention attendees I observed were more focused on a ‘Policy Fest’ conducted by the Heritage Foundation, the group responsible for creating the extreme Project 2025. Their regressive and eerie idea of America’s future was disconcerting.
The thought of former President Donald Trump and a Republican Senate elevating Judge Aileen Cannon to the Supreme Court should indeed concern Democrats. Yet, many have already started focusing on other issues. Speculations are rife with questions such as whether Biden will endorse Harris or put forward an open convention, if Harris would considering joining an all-female ticket alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, or if anyone else could tap into the funding that’s currently set for Biden. The thrilling spectacle of a competitive Democratic race and an open convention could likely unsettle Trump.
Last week, Trump’s pollster, Tony Fabrizio, revealed plans for an ad blitz targeting Biden’s debate blunders and damaging information on Harris, assuring reporters of their readiness. However, there are Republicans apprehensive about a possible change in the Democratic ticket, with Republican Senator Tom Cotton describing it as a potential “coup”.
Biden, it seems, does not appreciate the elite Democrats pushing for his withdrawal from the race. If former President Barack Obama were to take a break from his Netflix dealings and journey to Delaware to advise Biden to relinquish his candidacy, Biden would likely refuse. The memory of Obama favouring Hillary Clinton over him in 2015 still rankles, and therefore, advice from either of them is unwelcome.
Obama is often visible leading Biden, including at a high-profile Hollywood fundraiser, which Biden finds problematic. He’s uninterested in experiencing the discomfort he felt in 2016, following Trump’s victory over Clinton, an event that occurred after he had withdrawn from the race.
Biden is now said to be “fuming” with his longtime comrade, Nancy Pelosi, who is highly esteemed within their party, due to his belief that she is scheming a campaign to push him out of his position.
Pelosi’s old friend, Zoe Lofgren from the Californian delegation, published a note on Friday requesting Biden to withdraw. Additionally, Martin Heinrich and Sherrod Brown, both Senators, expressed the same notion, the latter presumably taking a group along with him.
Indeed, in this crucial time, Pelosi took the role of a tactician, initially constructing a smooth strategy to coax Biden out of the race, and amplifying her efforts once he refused. She analysed political maps, fielded phone calls and extensively reviewed support levels.She holds deep affection for Biden as he was more appreciative and complimentary of her assistance than Obama, but her loyalty to the House prevails. She adamantly rejects the idea of the president demolishing it due to narcissism, hence facilitating Trump’s return to Washington with a revengeful and overconfident attitude.
Considering Biden’s proclamation about not quitting unless directly ordered by God, it’s plausible to suggest that Pelosi, sharing the same Catholic faith, is moralizing the president into grasping the stakes, and what she considers God’s will. Arguably, she could’ve directly expressed her disagreement over Trump’s claim that God sides with him.
What Democrats require is an exciting open convention as opposed to a straightforward succession ceremony. Trump recently enjoyed one such event.
This rewriting is based on an article from The New York Times.