I am now three days removed from the most historic debate possibly since Lincoln/Douglas. Historic but for all the worst possible reasons. The day after the debate the Supreme Court released three monumental rulings that will each have profound ramifications for our future that we cannot begin to understand. The reversal of the Chevron doctrine; permitting cities and states to arrest and prosecute the homeless; and ensuring Trump and the Insurrectionists cannot be charged with Obstruction of Congress. And tomorrow they rule on possibly the most consequential question of our lives: Can the President be held accountable for anything? Does the President have immunity?
Each of these is deserving of an article, hell, a book even. But this is, as always, about The Election.
The mental fitness of President Joe Biden has been roundly criticized and mocked by Trump and his surrogates, and pointed out by a generally concerned populace. But routinely dismissed by the Biden campaign as absurd. "Strong as an ox" they say.
Well the veil has been lifted. Joe Biden's performance in the debate a few days ago was a complete non-starter. Right out of the gate he stumbled over his words, failed to find them properly and rambled in utter incoherence.
The infamously hostile and aggressive Trump needed only stand there, spread his lies with uncharacteristic calm, and smile as his opponent comited political suicide right next to him for over an hour. Given Trump's many legal woes of his own making it was apparent to me years ago that all Biden had to do was stand on stage and look vaguely competent and he'd win by a landslide in reelection. Even that abysmally low bar was far too high. Because while Trump was speaking Biden became more and more slack-jawed, wide-eyed and confused looking. Anyone who has had family age into dementia or Alzheimer's has seen that look in his eyes and it is unmistakable. This cannot continue.
The Democratic Party has a chance, right now, to do the right thing and replace the President as nominee if not from the Oval Office entirely. I voted for Joe Biden. If he is the nominee I'll depressingly vote for him again. He gave a banger of a speech in Raleigh on Saturday, the day after the election looking every bit as vibrant as you could hope from an octogenarian. All that proves is that he has good days and bad days. And as time goes on there will be more bad than good. That's how this works. This isn't a mark of shame against him. (though he has plenty of those in policy and decision making over the last 50 years in national politics). But the job of President of the United States, while not the sacred cow many idealistic politicos like to imagine it, is still too important to be left to someone who can't at least hide his slide into dementia.
But more than that it's cruel and vicious to keep him as the nominee. It's full blown elder abuse to expect him to continue in his role. There comes a time you have to tell the eldest in the family "sorry but we can't let you drive anymore" "sorry, your body cant handle the chainsaw to cut down the tree" and "sorry, its time to go to bed and take your meds." This may seem cruel to say but to ignore it any longer is far worse. Biden, for his own sake, and now the country, must stand down.
Now, the great question comes down to who do you replace him with? Who can fill his shoes that might be palatable to the American public on such short notice?
There are a few options worth mentioning.
Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan who already has a bit of a name in Democratic party politics due to her nearly being kidnapped and killed by a pro-Trump militia some years ago. She can reliably deliver Michigan, a crucial swing state now.
Stacy Abrams. Nearly governor of Georgia and has a strong name on the national stage for helping deliver Georgia to Biden four years ago. She's an experienced and skilled organizer if more to the left than many would feel comfortable with.
Gavin Newsome. Governor of California. And with all the benefits and baggage that entails. He can raise money in a short period of time which is going to be crucial. But many, including myself am no fan of the man and his brand of bullshit in how he runs California. He's got a name in the party but middle America, now more than ever, doesn’t want California running the country.
Andy Brasher. Governor of Kentucky. A Democrat governor in a Deep Red State. Skilled politician, solid orator, a Progressive that can compromise and still get some things done in a Trumpian stronghold.
Kamala Harris. Current Vice-President. The heir-apparent of President Biden is the most obvious choice so i saved her for last. She is also the worst possible option. She is universally reviled by the Right for being an ethnic minority that has a brain and a woman to boot. She’s also despised by the Left for her stance against marijuana when she was California Attorney General. Personally my issue is with her inability to speak coherently since becoming VP. Her interviews in the last few years on any topic of note have been babbling nonsense while pretending to know what she's saying.
But the primary problem with her is the same problem people had with Hillary Clinton. They are operating under the assumption that it is "her turn" as if thats how we determine our leaders in a goddamn democracy. Treating the Presidency like a monarchy where the successor is chosen by committee rather than popular vote.
The things almost all of them have in common is that they are comparatively young. All of them below the age of 60 and except for Harris, most people know nothing about them. It can easily be argued we know too fucking much about both Biden and Trump.
But as of now it looks like the Party Establishment is willing to pretend the debate never happened. They seem to be trying to pull a "don't believe what your eyes tell you" kind of message. Biden is refusing to step down. The First Lady told him "you did a great job" as she shuffled him off the stage. Former President Barack Obama and other high ranking Dems have spoken how they stand by him because he's "always had our back".
The arrogance that has always flowed as a waste product of the Clinton/Obama/Biden machine is beginning to flow freely from the Biden campaign now. Just a few hours ago Rob Flaherty, the deputy director for the Biden campaign referred to those of us calling for the Old Man to step aside a the "Bedwetter Brigade". Saying we are freaking out over nothing and just hurting the campaign by pointing out what we saw with our own eyes.
Rob Flaherty can go fuck himself.
It's the height of arrogance and stupidity to think that the American people will forget this. He and his ilk in the White House are throwing us all the wolves. The Establishment has their plan and agenda. And the rest of us can die in a grease fire before we dare to point out the plan is stupid and failing.
This is the fundamental problem with the Democratic Party as it has existed for an amount of years. No true debate is accepted. No criticism is allowed. Fall in line and suck the dicks we tell you to.
I need more whisky.
-Jacob Blair