On Our "Virtual Route 66" With this Special Quarter-End Edition
Coop Scoop: Stay or Stand Down?
June 30
By Marc Cooper
Pressure continues to mount on Joe Biden to step aside from the Democratic nomination even though he seems, at least for the moment, to want to soldier on. It’s an uphill quest as the latest national poll shows more than 70% of voters want Biden to leave the race and that’s a number hard to ignore.
This story still needs a few more days to shake out.
Here’s what I know for the moment. It is logistically possible to make a switch. It’s possible so long as Joe Biden voluntarily agrees to release his delegates so they can choose another candidate at the August party convention. I also know there is enough time to conduct a serious alternative campaign. In most advanced countries, national campaign are run in 6-8 weeks not in 12-18 months. What I don’t know: a) is there enough funding for a different slate? B) Is it really necessary to make this switch? And c) who would replace the ticket?
My best attempt at answers. The money issue might be the biggest obstacle to a swtich. The mountain of money in Biden’s campaign treasury might not be able to be seamlessly transferred to another candidate. Some Democrats say there is a “work around” but I have no idea what it is is.
Is this really necessary? I don’t know. I think there are giant risks either way. I also want to state what I am sure many of you are also feeling. What a disgusting situation that among the two candidates, there is no demand for the convicted criminal and sexual predator and serial liar, the man responsible in great part for the mass death of the COVID plague, an avowed aspiring dictator and a world class imbecile and ignoramus to step aside, only for his elderly but totally decent opponent to do so. A tad unfair you might say. But it is what it is. Biden has dug himself into a very deep hole and a a couple of years of official denialism from the White House was a delightful gift to the Republicans. This is not a do or die decision for me because it is not my decision, thank heavens. But it might very well make or break the election (if you know the answer please write it on a $20 bill and snail mail it to me).
I thought the Sunday morning show appearances of Kamala Harris and Jim Clyburn telling us not to believe our lying eyes were prime examples of a rather frightening Democratic cluelessness that could get very expensive politically. Instead, kudos to Rep. Jamie Raskin who, while supporting Biden, was totally unafraid to justify and explain the ongoing discussion of whether he should be replaced.
While I can probably live with Biden staying or leaving, I am starting to tilt toward leaving –if done cleanly and effectively.
I am going to repeat one more time: the task before us is not to build a pro-Biden coalition as it is to erect a robust anti-Trump coalition — and by any means necessary.
I have little confidence in Kamala, which seems to be the conventional wisdom even though she is the easiest person to whom to transfer the nomination. I’m thinking that if the Democrats decide to make the switch and cannot get past Kamala, I think a Harris-Whitmer ticket focused on reproductive rights and women could unlock the election. Whitmer-Harris would be better but is unlikely to say the least. Or perhaps Whitmer-Warnock which has the added benefit of candidates from swing states Michigan and Georgia. I know Harris well as I am from California and have followed her career, She is a weak candidate. But at the moment, Biden seems worse but that does not make Harris any stronger.
If this all comes down to a decision to replace the ticket, I am hoping the Democrats will not fall back on hoary race and gender arguments to defend Kamala Harris who, to quote Leonard Cohen, everybody knows is a dud. Will the Democrats show enough resolve and maturity to counter a fascist threat without having to factor in some DEI mumbo jumbo?
We have to get past this moment and as quickly as possible so we can refocus this race as a referendum on Donald Trump, rule of law and democracy.
If not, don’t forget to shut out the lights. +++
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