Hey everyone, it’s been a very rough couple of days after the debate. Many of us are extremely angry that we got to this point, after fending off months and months of attacks on Biden’s age, we are handed a product to sell in the general election that appears to be past it’s expiration date. It just made our jobs this fall that much harder.
But, as many others have rightly pointed out, making a change at the top of the ticket right now would be extremely complicated at best and extremely risky as well. It may in fact be unnecessary given the audience size and debate format.
I have 2 requests:
1. If you are still feeling your feels about the debate performance, still angry, in dispair, scared, whatever, just take a break. It’s the perfect time. Today starts an extended holiday break for many. It’s Pride weekend for some of the country’s biggest cities! ENJOY your 4th of July. Go see the fireworks. Eat the food your Dr says you shouldn’t have, and maybe get some exercise like she tells you, too. Talk to your friends, family and neighbors. Feel out the situation and keep an eye on the polls. Then come back refreshed after the holiday. We will have lots of polls and data with which to calmly assess the damage that may (or may not!) have been done to Biden’s prospects.
2. If you have already processed your emotions about Thursday night, and you’re all fired up and ready to fight, well... excellent for you. But please do not expect everyone to process at the same pace as you. Please don’t go around calling people “snowflakes”, “bedwetters” and “pantsshitters” as I have seen repeatedly in the last 48 hours. That is the language of bullies. Browbeating people in a political coalition discourages the very solidarity we need. So please!!! Try some empathy. Or, if you need a break, take one! Charge up those batteries, it’s going to be a long road. But don’t waste your energy tone-policing in the comments. That doesn’t do anyone any good, and may actually be harming both you and your allies.
We can check in over the holiday, share what we are hearing. Share your emotions. Share your concerns. But we are a reality-based community, so before you conclude the only path forward is this or that, take that break, take care of yourself, and look at it when we have data to help inform you.
I promise you, things will look different on Monday, July 1st and even moreso on Monday July 8th. Give yourself the grace of some time, and extend that grace to your colleagues here that are part of your coalition.
Happy Independence Day.