President Joe Biden keeps looking like he’s lost after giving a speech.
Photos from Tuesday appeared as if Joe Biden had fallen asleep during his meeting with Israel President Isaac Herzog. No, he was awake. But he was reading remarks–and slurring his words, which in some ways was worse.
This only ties into concerns that Biden must go.
It seems he probably wants to. In 2020, as a candidate for president, he proclaimed, “I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” to a new generation of leaders.
Polls show almost 60% of Americans don’t want Biden to run for a second term, and about half of Democrats would prefer he stick with that “bridge” comment, and let someone else run.
So, Biden didn’t really plan on hanging around, and voters prefer he not.
So why is he running for a second term exactly?
Well, he made a bad choice of a vice president in Kamala Harris, who most Democrats fear would easily lose to Donald Trump.
The polling average shows Trump and Biden neck and neck, but Biden seems to be pulling ahead. However, Trump defeats Harris in almost every poll, in some cases significantly.
So, he’s running for a second term, possibly with plans to retire (rather than resign) midterm and allow Harris to ascend to the White House. Or maybe, he plans to survive a second term and Harris will grow into a better candidate by 2028.
It doesn’t have to be Harris.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom seems to be on either a death watch or hoping against hope that Biden will change his mind about running. Newsom has leaped onto the national stage, giving speeches in Florida, appearing on Fox News interviews. But to what end?
Newsom could step into the race in September and spin it that Biden is lagging Trump in polls–or dangerously close. So, the fearless governor must save the country from those MAGA extremists.
But Newsom must make the case that Biden isn’t up for another campaign. That’s dangerous territory in a Democratic primary. Among partisans, there are certain things you’re allowed to think are unmentionable.
A Newsome primary challenge might cause the Democrat base to rally around Biden.
Remember for a moment in 2019. The up and coming former Housing Secretary Julian Castro, and Rep. Eric Swalwell were harmed for raising questions in the primary about Biden’s age.
Nobody wants Joe to run, but nobody wants to bring up the obvious. So, Democrats are likely stuck with him.
Barbara Joanna Lucas is a writer and researcher in Northern Virginia. She has been a healthcare professional, political blogger, is a proud dog mom, and news junkie.
From 19FortyFive
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