Published Feb 16, 2024

Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden

Ezra Klein examines the Democratic Party's strategic dilemma ahead of the 2024 elections, questioning Joe Biden's campaign viability amid concerns over his leadership and age, and delving into the potential for Kamala Harris to emerge as a more effective alternative.
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  • Leadership Concerns

    Concerns about President 's leadership and age are stirring within the Democratic Party. expresses a fear that internal doubts about Biden's ability to win against Donald Trump in 2024 are not being publicly addressed due to career risks and loyalty. He suggests that Biden should step down as a hero, fulfilling his promise to be a bridge to the next generation of Democrats 1.

    I have this nightmare that Trump wins in 2024 and then in 2025 and in 2026 outcome the campaign tell all books and they're full of emails and WhatsApp messages between Biden staffers and democratic leaders where they're all saying to each other, this is a disaster, he's not going to win this.

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    Klein argues that the party should organize victory at the convention, a practice common in American political history 2.

       

    Kamala Harris Role

    The potential role of Kamala Harris in the Democratic Party's future is a topic of concern. notes that while Harris should theoretically be a favorite, she polls worse than Biden, and there is fear that not choosing her could divide the party. He believes Harris is underrated and highlights her magnetic presence in private settings, though translating that to her public persona is challenging 3.

    Everybody I have talked to about this, literally everybody, has brought up the same fear. Call this a Kamala Harris problem. In theory, she should be the favorite, but she polls a bit worse than Biden.

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    Klein emphasizes that the party's duty is to organize victory, and if Harris cannot convince delegates of her viability, she should not be chosen. He points to a wealth of talent within the party that could step up for the nomination 3.

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