"For a while now, I have been convinced that Biden's age is such an electoral handicap that he should bow out in favor or a younger, more dynamic Democrat. That appears impossible at this point. If Biden remains the candidate, he will likely commit more gaffes and stumbles during the course of a grueling campaign and the Republicans will have a field day exploiting the age issue. Some seem to think the brouhaha over Special Counsel Robert Hur's politically-motivated characterization of Biden as a doddering old codger will fade by election day. I disagree. I think Hur has killed him. (But I pray I'm wrong!)"
Tom Sancton
Nothing I write in this blog makes commenters angrier than words like these.
I agree with Tom Sancton's sentiments.
The complaint isn't that I am wrong in acknowledging Biden's vulnerability. It is that the vulnerability is so great that Democrats must pretend we don't see it. Critics say I am being disloyal and am failing to acknowledge Biden’s many accomplishments. There is a reason voters aren’t crediting Biden’s accomplishments. They can’t get Biden’s feebleness out of their minds.
Sancton is a college classmate, a former Rhodes Scholar, an author, a former bureau chief for Time Magazine, and an accomplished jazz clarinetist. His most current book is The Last Baron. On January 6 he posted here about plagiarism and his book The Bettencourt Affair, which deals with the issue of the diminished mental capacity of an elderly heiress.
Yesterday I wrote that old farmers and old politicians don't know when to let go. Old farmers get backaches and it gets harder to climb up and down from tractor seat. Politicians don’t get those signals. Indeed, the seniority system makes their jobs better as they age in place.
Old politicians use their incumbency to entrench themselves. Trump did it very successfully. He used his control of the RNC and the Republican nominating process to make almost all Republican primaries winner-take-all. He turned a plurality into a majority. Trump was helped by a successful with-me-or-you-are-a-RINO approach that silenced dissent. A great many Republicans see Trump's manifest flaws, but they dare not speak up. Trump has one other asset in dominating his party: A significant number of GOP voters are thrilled by him.
Biden also had control of the nominating process. Democrats arranged to forbid an Iowa caucus and to disempower the New Hampshire primary. Those would have allowed members of the Democratic bench to test the water. The Democratic Party sent out a warning to those potential rivals: It is Biden and no one else, period. Support the president. Support the party. Any Democrat who challenged Biden is an enemy and will be held responsible if Biden loses. Potential candidates heeded the warning.
Democrats were given a "party line" message that Biden is not infirm, forgetful, or tongue-tied. He is 100% up to the job of being president. If you have doubts, keep them to yourself.
Biden's candidacy does not have majority Democratic voter support. Most Democrats tell pollsters they are uncomfortable with Biden and are eager -- even desperate -- for an alternative. That is why Biden and the DNC were adamant that there be no alternative. It was a dangerous, irresponsible, and undemocratic policy. I am disappointed that Biden arranged this and that the Democratic bench fell into line. Biden badly mistook his place in history.
The stakes have grown higher. Trump is getting more manic, more sloppy, more contemptuous of the rule of law and the justice system. He is increasingly open about his authoritarian plans domestically and his support for Russia's designs on Ukraine and NATO. Trump is deteriorating faster than Biden, but his unfitness for office is better disguised. Trump "reads" as stronger and more alert.
Democrats are hoping nothing happens to pierce the curtain of denial. It is too late. It was pierced long ago and the Hur comments were just another iteration. Democrats are fielding a weak candidate -- and they know it. They act resigned to a dismal fate. They act stuck. Biden would consider an insurgent revolt against him this spring or at the Democratic convention to be disloyal. I am OK with that revolt if it comes. It would press reset. It would be better sooner than later, so that Democrats can get comfortable with a new leader and spokesperson. As Macbeth said:
If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly.
What the blipping f*ck is wrong with everyone. Yes, Joe is old, and his mannerisms reflect that fact.
But so is Trump. Why aren't you talking about the likelihood that HE could be at "room temperature" tomorrow ... or the more likely scenario that he goes the opposite direction and just completely melts down in public?
Trump could encourage Russia to attack American positions in Europe tomorrow while setting a model of the Statue of Liberty on fire and you folks would keep talking about Biden's age. The media will keep talking about the slightest miscue Joe makes and not even pay fake homage to "both side-ism"
Wring your hands in paralysis, bemoan the fact that you cannot control Joe or make him do what you want. The fact remains that a lying narcissist with probable addiction problems and a REAL problem with Vlad steps in if you step aside.
Wait, you mean the Democratic Party might threaten the future of the nation and our way of life through hubris by daring us not to vote for their choice? Golly, what would that look like?