Today is one of the “breaking dam” days in Politics. Things are changing by the minute, but unfortunately for Joe Biden there has been nothing moving in his favor. Every time he speaks he loses more support, so he doesn’t speak, so he then loses more support. There are certain doors you cannot open when trying to lead a group of people to victory. One of those doors is weakness, and people react poorly when they see weakness in the ability to lead.
Unfortunately, for all of us Democrats, the Democrats are not particularly adept at politics. It’s important to look at the other side of the aisle for a comparison point when we assess the Dems. I am of course talking about the party of masculinity, patriotism, and virtue who offer no critique of a candidate who is an obese 78-year old man whose primary diet consists of well-done steak and Diet Coke, a candidate who has been indicted for trying to carry out a coup which would have seen his Vice President and heads of Congress executed, and whose claim to fame is bankrupting Atlantic City and then claiming the first Black President was not a U.S. citizen.
Republicans never walked away from their leader. Now, they are saddled with a convicted criminal ex-president as their candidate. He has a 40ish% approval rating, has already lost the last election, and tried to lead a coup that everyone watched on TV. Focus groups, over and over, have told pollsters that they do not like their choices. They think it is “the devil” versus “the other devil,” or the “lesser of two evils.” Republicans are rallying heavily behind the devil, pushing out anyone who does not tow the party line (See Former UN Ambassador Nikki “Bird Brain” Haley, Former Vice President & Governor Michael “Sissyboy” Pence, Former General and Chief of Staff Jim Mattis, etc., etc.). There is no space for critiquing the leader in the Republican Party.
this is incredibly low quality because I know I don’t need to describe how sweaty this man is in the Doral, Florida, 95 degree heat.
The Democratic base somewhat understands. Biden is currently polling (as of 4:40pm on July 11) at 42% among Democrats, as in, 54% of Democrats want him to step aside at the top of the ticket. That number tracks to his polling nationwide - 42% to 44%. I would put my life savings on him losing more support among Democrats as time proceeds. His “steps” to quell the panic are minimal: calling into Morning Joe to mumble-complain about “elites,” speaking at a NATO rally where I genuinely could not understand what he was saying, what is he doing! There is a point and time where you have to go for it, in sports, in politics. Jump for the ball, call the hail mary. Joe Biden’s response to a bunch of his voters saying, “dude, we don’t think you’re up to beating the other guy,” is to climb into bed with his PJs on and some sleepy time tea. Time’s up pal!
I am being slightly facetious, but at the same time watching old Joe Biden clips versus new Joe Biden clips is disheartening. However sharp his mind is, his communication skills are essentially non-existent. Communication is a crucial part of politics, and politicians themselves have to be good at it. Joe Biden’s inability to communicate is why, in every discussion I have with Democrats of every stripe, they all think he should step aside. Not everyone is confident in who should replace him, but our good Democrat political instincts are kicking in. The Democrats have won the popular vote in 5 out of the last 6 presidential elections, and Democratic policies (abortion access, gun control, taxing billionaires, enacting climate-friendly policy) are - overall - popular in the country. Democratic base voters have good instincts for picking winners, and right now they are concerned that their guy - Joe Biden - isn’t up to the task. They’ll still vote for him, I will too, but I do not want to have to go to the polls to exercise my right to vote for a person I don’t believe in simply because the other option is authoritarianism.
Joe Biden has done nothing since the debate to prove he can lead this party forward with strong communication on the reasons Democrats should be in charge. If your star quarterback threw 4 interceptions in the first half, you’d consider benching him. If his response to those interceptions was to fumble the snap and then refuse to pass more than 20 yards? You’d definitely bench him. Joe Biden has lost the mantle of leadership within the Democratic base, and I don’t see him getting it back.
Yet, Democratic political officials have not jumped ship. Most are saying that “they support him,” and “they support the nominee,” while leaking to reporters and saying they actually think he should step aside. But, as of now, they are still onboard.
Democrats are sitting on the starboard edge, testing the water, looking at the sky wondering if they are going to survive the S.S. Scranton Joe’s second (fourth?) voyage. The Democrats pushed out to sea in the JB II, but slowly a storm has blown in and the seas have become choppy. The winds have changed, and an old menace is on the horizon. The sailors are concerned about their boat, because it is struggling to stay afloat.
The boat has significant leaks. There is a sharp rudder stuck in the hull, which splits some parts of the stern, creating a small but significant crack. There are moss-covered ropes draped all over the sails, and the boat can’t seem to get any momentum. There isn’t much gas left in the motor. Water is starting to spill over the edge of the ship.
There is another option: abandon ship. The island from which they departed is not that far away, although it would certainly require a swim. There would be choppy waters to overcome and likely some snakes on the land, but the land offers hope: of dry ground, fresh fish, and coconut trees. Return to the island Democrats.
Become what can be, unburdened by what has been