Staff Reports
The relentless pressure from Democrats and their media allies for President Joe Biden to step aside as the 2024 nominee has reached a fever pitch, despite the fact that a viable replacement plan seems to be more of a pipe dream than a concrete strategy. Oddly enough, this campaign is centered not just on exiting gracefully but on a potential “mini-primary” featuring former Democratic titans Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in a vetting role – as if asking the ghosts of past failures to shape the party’s future is a good idea.
One of the most recent advocates for Biden’s departure is Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren from California. Her pitch includes the scintillating concept of a “mini-primary” where potential contenders could be judged, perhaps while sipping coffee in a smoke-filled room reminiscent of old-time political shenanigans. Lofgren has even sent a letter to Biden laying out her case, declaring that his candidacy is trailing down the path to defeat, potentially taking the entire Democratic ticket down with him. It seems Biden’s spirited refusal to bow to this mounting chorus is doing nothing but inflating the urgency among his party’s ranks.
Cool. So, why did you panic and call for the most successful President since FDR, Joe Biden, to step aside? As a Missouri native, fellow Democrat and Mizzou Tiger, I would like to know.🤔 https://t.co/hfPFr5dEIj
— Patrick Pierce (@PatrickJPierce) June 29, 2024
Lofgren’s comments were not only directed at Biden but at the party’s apparent choice for the next in line, Vice President Kamala Harris. While she deems Harris as the “leading candidate,” the reality is that many Democrats are likely sweating bullets at the very thought of her running to the front lines of a general election against someone like Donald Trump. The congresswoman’s assertion that a mini-primary would focus attention away from Harris raises eyebrows. Clearly, the anxiety about placing Harris up against Trump despite questionable performance metrics is leading to some creative problem-solving within the party.
During her industry-lined chat with MSNBC, Lofgren proposed that if Biden makes the noble decision to step aside, things might get tricky, noting that “quick steps” would need to be taken. Who needs a smooth transition of power when you can have a hasty reshuffling, all tinged with the unmistakable scent of desperation? At least they’re not considering a “coronation,” which one can only assume was a dig at how overly pampered and insulated the political elite can be in such discussions.
Amidst all these political machinations, over 30 elected Democrats, including both House and Senate members, have been calling for Biden’s departure, further demonstrating the schism within the party. Though whispers suggest that more members are quietly sharing their doubts about Biden’s viability, they seem to prefer keeping their heads down as they watch the inevitable train wreck unfold. Currently trailing Trump in polls—by as few as two points in key battlegrounds—Biden remains as stubborn as a mule, leaving many Democrats shaking in their boots at what his continued candidacy might mean for their own political futures.
This whole charade reeks of a party in panic mode, grasping at straws to avoid a crushing scenario where they face off against a rejuvenated Trump come election day. Lofgren and her peers can dream of a swift and glamorous exit for Biden, but reality tells a different story. As they circle the wagons, the prospect of a mini-primary, or even the looming shadow of Clinton and Obama lurking in the background, shows just how far the party has tumbled from the days when they could field a candidate without the need for extensive triage. Liberals may want to buckle up; it looks like the 2024 ride is about to get bumpy.
