Both the editorial board of the New York Times and columnist Maureen Dowd pleaded with President Joe Biden to stand aside after his performance in the recent presidential debate made clear that he is no longer up to his task to defeat Donald Trump in November.
I agree in principle (I already voted “uncommitted” in the primary). But alas, it is too late now. Biden has won the nomination fair and square in the primaries, so he cannot be forced to stand aside. But because there were no credible rival candidates in those primaries, there is no legitimate and credible alternative to replace him on the ballot now if he goes voluntarily. Not even Vice President Kamala Harris, who is only tolerated by the base because Biden wants her.
A last-minute campaign to find an alternative would tear the party apart. It would be better to maintain Biden, but to replace Harris with someone who would be more acceptable as someone who is almost certain to take over the presidency after Biden’s demise in office. It would still be an unseemly fight, but one less devastating than one for the top job.
