Democrats should think very carefully about this.
Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently discussed the challenges involved in potentially replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee, emphasizing the strong attachment many voters have to Biden. Psaki’s comments followed a debate between Biden and former President Donald Trump, where she criticized Biden’s initial performance and his failure to articulate his second-term agenda effectively.
Psaki acknowledged the upcoming weeks could be turbulent for the Biden campaign, with ongoing speculation about the feasibility of an open convention or replacing Biden on the ticket. She cautioned that while these ideas might find support in editorial pages, executing such a change would be complex. She pointed out that the public had already chosen Biden, and a brokered convention could lead to a messy and divisive process where party delegates, rather than voters, select the nominee from a wide array of candidates.
Looking ahead, Psaki urged the Biden campaign to intensify efforts to win over voters, including leveraging support from influential Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro, who have been mentioned as potential successors to Biden in the 2024 election.
While Psaki encouraged Biden to use his debate performance as motivation to prove doubters wrong, she acknowledged the current narrative that casts him as the underdog against “creepy convict Don” (referring to Donald Trump). Despite challenges, she emphasized Biden’s enduring appeal among voters.
The idea of replacing Biden has been circulating for some time, but resistance within the Democratic Party has been firm, particularly following the debate. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, reaffirmed Biden’s status as the nominee and criticized those advocating for his removal as part of the “bedwetting brigade.”
Meanwhile, reactions within the Democratic ranks varied. Senator Raphael Warnock expressed support for Biden despite criticisms of his debate performance, drawing a parallel to his own experiences wishing for better delivery during sermons. However, he did not directly address calls for Biden to undergo cognitive testing.
On the Republican side, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley cautioned that replacing Biden could position Democrats favorably with a younger candidate, potentially boosting their chances against Trump. She also predicted decreased enthusiasm among Democratic voters further down the ballot if Biden remains the nominee.
Overall, Psaki’s remarks underscored the complexities and divisions within the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s candidacy, emphasizing the significant challenges of any attempt to replace him ahead of the 2024 election.