Cutting off Biden’s Chances is the Democrats Best Move Now
Biden will only withdraw if it becomes absolutely clearly he cannot win. Ensuring he sees this reality must sadly be everyone’s priority.
For many months — perhaps years — Democrats were in a trap. Biden was clearly slipping, but to say so out loud would merely weaken him and throw the election to Trump. Yet to hide the reality of his decline into dotage (which was the strategy until Thursday’s debate) was a long shot.
In this trap, everyone feared the truth would eventually come out, but was paralyzed by the more predictable and immediate damage done to the Biden campaign by speaking up.
The debate changed everything — but not for Biden
Thursday’s debate triggered a Democratic paroxysm of frenetic reevaluation. The paralysis over whether to speak out or stay silent was relieved, and the first of many Democratic insiders broke the taboo of speaking about Biden’s mental fitness.
The remaining problem is Joseph Robinette Biden, himself. Like all successful politicians, he’s tough, never quits, has a high opinion of his abilities, is defensive of his record and legacy, and knows from experience that he can bounce back from devastating setbacks and gaffes.
But not this time.
The only way to get Biden to drop out is to cut off any remaining chance, in his mind and the minds of his advisors, of his winning. Many Democrats are working towards that right now, and arguably have already done so, but it has to be decisive and undeniable so as to strip Biden of any deluded hope of recovery.
How to push Biden out
It’s hard to predict exactly who or what will move Biden most effectively toward the exit. His two longest term and most trusted advisors, Ron Klain, Mike Donnilan, and Ted Kaufman are likely to do the job, along with Biden’s wife, Jill.
We all have a role to play in pushing them, and Biden himself, to engage with reality and take action.
Concrete steps for everyone to take
First of all, share this article! We need everyone to understand that at this point, attempting to deny Biden’s infirmity is a recipe for disaster. What made sense on Wednesday — trying to hide and spin Biden’s mental acuity and keep him largely out of public view — no longer makes sense, so everybody needs to pivot.
The press needs to keep up the pressure. The NY Times Editorial Page, Washington Post Editorial Page, and dozens of pundits and commentators have already publicly called for Biden to step down. They need to keep up the pressure.
Voters and regular people need to spread the word too.
And there is a potential role for Biden’s own cabinet.
Nuclear Option — the 25th Amendment
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of [the Cabinet], transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Biden’s cabinet could absolutely seal the deal by invoking the 25th amendment. It would be dramatic. It is unlikely. It would be a personal betrayal of Joe Biden, but would be done for the good of the country. If this were done, it would be another severe blow to his candidacy, leaving him no choice but to withdraw for the good of the country.
It is an option.
