It should just be said outright for all the world to hear. Joe Biden is a decent guy that would make an excellent candidate if he was 10 years younger. It isn’t just an issue of electability; it is an issue of capability. It isn’t just the gaffs. One can visibly see that Biden is slowing down. The demands of the world’s toughest job are already beginning to show in him. We will see what plays out over the next few weeks as Biden faces the grueling schedule that campaigning always is. I am not hopeful. Granted, Biden seemed vigorous enough at his State of the Union address, but who knows where he will be in 2 years, much less 6 if he wins reelection and completes his term.
The greatest problem is the specter of a constitutional crisis. Whatever Joe Biden’s mental state now, it could change a lot and quickly. We risk having him at the helm when he experiences a sudden decline. This could spell disaster. Republicans are already lining up to find a pretext to impeach Biden. Even a small decline would give them ammunition. This might not only spell the end of his presidency, his ability to advance his agenda would grind to a halt and the government would become distracted from the business at hand. This isn’t a far-off prospect. If Biden cannot withstand the pressures of campaigning this could become a problem in the immediate future. And many may come to feel they are potentially voting for Biden’s vice-president, and that could be disastrous for the campaign–not because Kamala Harris is not an able leader, but because people need to know who they are voting for or they won’t vote at all.
All of this leaves the Democratic party wide open to potential contenders who represent a new generation of the up-and-coming alt right. 2024 will be won by the party that can get out the vote, that can fire up the base. There are a host of Republican contenders who have shown they can do just that–all of whom are a potential threat to American democracy. I am afraid that if Biden runs people will do negative voting.
In light of all of this it is difficult to see why Biden’s age is now the proverbial elephant in the middle of the room. Surely, if a concerted effort was made he could be persuaded not to run, for the benefit of the broader progressive movement. Progressives have other alternatives. Progressives need a young, forward-looking face that represents the future of the party.
That doesn’t mean Biden needs to disappear from the scene or that we should disrespect him. But let him take up his proper place within the progressive movement as elder statesman spending the last years of his life as a respected and able advisor. Joe Biden is a decent man and an excellent politician, but he needs to step aside and allow a new generation to claim the presidency.
Progressive Without Apology 