Is it time for Joe Biden to bow out? – msn/The Week
To: Democratic Party leaders
Another option for dealing with Biden’s weakened candidacy
After his faltering debate performance, many Democrats are panicking over President Biden’s chances of re-election. So far, most assume a binary choice between whether the president stays the course or withdraws to allow another candidate to be chosen. It is up to Biden to make the choice.
If Biden refuses to drop out, there is another option: He and the Democrats could choose a running mate that the nation will accept as a functional “co-chief executive” ready to step in to take the lead role should Biden’s mental acuity continue to decline. Biden might indicate that he would gradually shift responsibilities to his running mate.
Taking this course would probably mean replacing Kamala Harris on the ticket and choosing someone voters perceive as better suited to take the number one slot. Democrats might fear that replacing Harris would alienate African American voters. But she is unlikely to end up on the ticket any way if Biden were to drop out. No matter which path is taken, the Democratic Party finds itself in a box canyon resulting from its practice of identity politics. To defeat Donald Trump, it now should prioritize candidates with the greatest talent and leadership qualities rather those available in favored ethnic or gender categories or with the most seniority.