In the grand theater of American politics, nothing can be quite as entertaining — or self-destructive — as a circular firing squad of Democrats. As a long-time observer of our legislative and electoral machinations, I have seen almost everything. Now, however, I am stunned that some Democrats seem determined to dredge up the party's greatest hits of political self-sabotage, even when faced with a Republican adversary who is, metaphorically speaking, more tainted than a week-old fish lying in the sun.
The Joe Biden Conundrum
Joe Biden, who bested Trump by some 7 million votes in 2020, is now viewed by a minority within his party as a re-run of 1972 George McGovern. As the murmurs for a new candidate grow louder, the fund-raising for a super PAC that supports him is drying up. Such murmurs and penny-pinching are not only disheartening — they are dangerous. To be blunt: Biden may have given a less-than-stellar showing in the debates, but a molehill is being turned into the Himalayas by those whose memory span is shorter than that of a goldfish; their strategic vision is comparable to that of a headless chicken.
The Ghost of Elections Past
We must trip down memory lane to 1968 to understand the present madness. In 1968, the Democratic Party, divided by internal strife over the Vietnam War, presented a fractured front to the electorate. Hubert Humphrey, then the sitting vice president who became the party's standard bearer following LBJ's decision not to run again, was hobbled by intra-party divisions that Nixon exploited as deftly as a political surgeon. Nixon's pledge for "law and order" spoke to a public wearied by turmoil and the war. The result? A landslide for Nixon — the first of the modern, scandal-prone Republican presidencies.
Fast forward to today, and the echoes of 1968 are deafening to my ears. The Democrats have Trump as an opponent, one whose flaws are more numerous than the Kardashians' Instagram posts: He's a convicted felon, he and his corporation have been found guilty of business fraud, and he has been held civilly liable for sexual assault and defamation. Yet instead of closing ranks behind Biden, whose unfinished first term has him ranked fourteenth among presidential historians (Trump is rated last), some Democrats are letting his debate performance turn into 2020's equivalent of "her emails" from the 2016 campaign. Remember how well that turned out?
The Debilitating Debate Debacle
Let's take a moment to talk about that debate. Sure, it wasn't Biden's finest hour. A missed word here, a stumble there, and he looked every inch the octogenarian he is. But let's be honest, a lifetime of public service and the achievements of a noteworthy presidency just don't get scrapped in one debate. The economy is growing, unemployment is down substantially from pandemic levels, and America's position in the world has improved. Yet Democrats appear hellbent on concentrating upon Biden's mistakes, giving the Republicans precisely what they seek: a Democratic Party in disarray.
The Never-ending Albatross
Joe Biden's performance in the debate has been blown so far out of proportion that it is like a set of millstones around his neck, very much like Hillary Clinton's emails. For those with short memories, the continuous emphasis on Clinton's emails dwarfed her qualifications and policy initiatives. That 'distraction' ultimately caused her to lose the election. Now, history seems to be repeating itself, with the Democrats doing Trump's dirty work for him all over again by repudiating their candidate.
Democrats' intense focus on Biden's debate distracts from the real issue: defeating Trump. Trump's campaign relies heavily on fear-mongering, the perpetuation of lies, and the threat to turn America into an authoritarian state after he is elected. His political rap sheet is so long that it makes a CVS receipt seem short, yet Democrats are giving him more cover by focusing on Biden's flaws rather than Trump's. This myopia is not merely unwise; it could be potentially catastrophic.
The Strategy of Self-destruction
This myopic strategy of Democratic Party stalwarts is beyond baffling. By calling for a new candidate and withholding crucial financial support, they are handing Republicans the means to defeat not only the national standard-bearer but also those Democratic candidates who rely on PAC funding. Democrats are acting as if they are determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of what should be a certain victory. The sheer idiocy of this approach truly boggles the mind. If Biden beat Trump once, why not enable him to do it again?
Saying that Biden is too old or weak to run ignores the reality of the alternatives. Which of the Democratic hopefuls has the national name recognition, political acumen, and sheer tenacity to take on Trump? The answer is glaringly obvious: no one. But some Democrats appear more concerned with purity tests for ideological correctness than earning a well-deserved victory.
The Importance of Unity
The importance of party unity is critically important. The 1968 election should be a stark reminder of what happens when parties split. This upcoming election carries even higher stakes. The division within the Democratic Party isn't simply a question of winning an election; it's about maintaining the fabric of American democracy.
If Trump serves a second term, the consequences will be a disaster of epic proportions, not just for the United States but for the world. The consequences of Democratic infighting could be dire.
The Role of the Media
The media also bears some responsibility for this fiasco. By heightening the fuss about Biden's performance in the debate and focusing on the internecine struggles inside today's Democratic Party, they amplify the party's divisions and distractions. The media must stress the stark differences between Biden and Trump as voters consider which to vote for. However, they are doing the opposite, contributing, as they did in 2016, to a "both sides" narrative that only helps Trump.
A Call to Action
It is time that Democrats woke up and smelled the political coffee. The enemy is not Joe Biden; the enemy is Donald Trump and the autocratic-antidemocratic regime he represents. Democrats must stop shooting themselves in the foot and start concentrating on the real threat — Trump. Overcoming this trap requires that Democrats unite behind Biden, cooperate with his campaign-supporting super PACs, and speak with one voice to voters. It means putting aside their petty differences and teaming up to consign Trump to the garbage heap of history where he belongs.
Conclusion
There is no room for self-inflicted wounds in today's high-stakes game of American politics. The Democratic Party needs to learn from its past mistakes instead of repeating them and causing unnecessary division and distraction within the party, which may further divide and confuse voters. Biden is imperfect, but he gives Democrats the best opportunity to beat Trump and save American democracy. Rather than continuing to sell our best presidential asset short, let us refocus our aim and concentrate on the task at hand — winning this election for all Americans.
So, my fellow Democrats, rally around a candidate who has already shown he can win for this country. The future of the nation depends on it.
~Dunneagin~