Democratic lawmakers are now publicly calling for Joe Biden to go, and even a seasoned heavyweight like Nancy Pelosi is opening the door to that possibility.
Mrs. Pelosi cannot be accused of lacking loyalty to her party and her president. If she allows herself to speak out, it is because internally, anger is brewing and a revolt is possible.
The fact remains that changing candidates four months before the vote risks chaos and division. Delivering a winning presidential ticket and preserving the façade of unity will not be done without twisting arms, crushing toes and squashing oversized egos.
Kamala Harris slightly superior to Joe Biden
Republicans were quick to respond to President Biden’s debacle, identifying Kamala Harris as the most likely candidate to succeed him in a new ad.
Recent polls point to a slight advantage for the vice president over Donald Trump. These polls should be taken with a grain of salt since the situation remains hypothetical.
They at least have the merit of suggesting that Harris’ candidacy would not be a catastrophe and that at least we would get rid of the main weakness of Joe Biden’s candidacy, namely doubts about his abilities.
Should we play it safe by immediately favoring Harris? Not only does she not suffer from excess charisma, but I believe we need to be bolder and more strategic. Kamala is also California (the elites) and progressivism (the wokes), two themes that Democrats need to distance themselves from in anticipation of the November election.
My ticket
Assuming that the players I mention accept their role and that the party closes ranks behind them (that’s already a big challenge!), I would compose my presidential tandem by betting on two names: Gretchen Whitmer and Andy Beshear.
Whitmer’s presidential bid would offer several advantages. She is governor of Michigan, a swing state, which requires her to court disaffected Republicans as well as swing voters and independents. She already has a winning formula.
As a woman, Whitmer would also benefit from the abortion issue. Moreover, she would have no difficulty in being credible in denouncing the violence of the current political debate, having been targeted in a kidnapping plot for which harsh sentences were imposed.
For vice president, I would like to see a Democrat who recently won a Republican state, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. In a remarkable feat, he has managed to sell a platform that resembles President Biden’s, but to conservatives.
Can you imagine the potential for a Whitmer-Beshear duo in swing states that will be decided by a handful of voters? If Democrats go into attack mode, why not be all in?
