I think one of the biggest driving factors of this election, like it was in 2020, is negative partisanship. I, personally, happen to like Biden very much. I think he’s been a phenomenal president, and has actually done a lot, especially given this recalcitrant MAGA-run House, to make lives better for Americans. I also wish he were younger, and I’m sure he does as well. I would also be perfectly happy if he wins and then steps down during his term to make way for President Harris. Same good, tasty Democratic policy in a younger, healthier, spry President. No issues there for me and (hopefully) most Biden voters I think.
However, I am not so much motivated by my affection for Biden/Harris as I am by my incandescent hatred for that bloated, fetid, immoral, cruel, narcissistic, racist, xenophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic destructive, willfully ignorant, solipsistic garden slug who already had 4 years too many to pollute the White House. He is a singular danger to the Republic and the very fact that he was able to run again for the most powerful office in the world after his malignant malpractice led to the deaths of over a million Americans, not to mention his incitement of an insurrection is unforgivable. Ludicrous. And beggars belief. THAT is what the NY Times should be spilling ink on and not whether Biden is old and had a bad night. He did, he did have a bad night. And when Biden has a bad night, the country has a bad night. Because, for some stupid reason, the optics of an old man who stumbled at a debate against an unrepentant lying monster seems to matter more than, again, for the cheap seats, the fucking monster he was forced to share the debate stage with. The courts won’t save us, the media, addicted to eyeballs and subscription fees won’t save us, only our votes, if we can keep them, will save us. And, to be clear, votes against that vile PoS and the fascist-curious treason party continuing to prop him up. And I’m not at all sure enough people understand that. I hope they do. It couldn’t possibly be any clearer.
TY! And we can’t assume the very toxicity of Trump’s noxious existence will be enough to dissuade people. That was Hillary’s mistake in 2016. For better or for worse, now, though, we at least have his path of destruction as president to point to. That should at least be able to peel off a few more voters somehow on the fence.
I know that there are some who will disagree with my take on this election cycle, but here it is:
1) There is no voter left in the country that hasn't already formed an opinion on the 2 candidates.
2) The ones that reliably vote for the GOP will continue to do so, or they may stay home if they are honest enough to admit that Trump is scum.
3) No Democrat is going to be swayed from voting D simply because Biden had a bad night against a despicable, unrepentant con-man who spews lies faster than bullets exit a Gatling gun.
4) The Democratic party will be harmed more by dissension and waffling than anything else either Biden or Trump could say. Forget replacement.
5) VP Harris should be out there EVERY single day loudly repeating that the GOP has nominated a convicted felon and rapist and anti-democratic loser, and so should Biden.
6) EVERY Democratic surrogate should be making the point consistently that citizens would lose even more constitutional rights if Trump is put back in office. Abortion rights are just the beginning.
Lastly, it's critical to drive home the point that the reactionaries on the Supreme Court MUST be overwhelmingly defeated. That won't happen unless Dems retain the Senate majority and the White House.
THIS! Both Biden and Harris need to be or there together. Often. Every person who is anti Trump needs to remind the rest of the people that we are choosing between the U.S. as a democracy and a fascist country that may end up broken into pieces. That’s what we’re voting for. Let’s go!🧢🧢
All good points. I think it's notable that polls haven't shown much post-debate movement yet, I think while people are horrified at Biden's performance they're still in the "I'm still voting for him, I'd vote for his corpse over Trump" camp. I guess the risk is Biden still needs to gain ground against Trump, and it isn't likely he can do so if he isn't up to it.
That's where Harris comes in. I don't see any evidence she's a good campaigner, but she had better become one now, and get out there fighting.
100% on all the political technocrats ignoring Kamala. They are thinking with their ‘white undecideds’ focus group brain on and ignoring the point of a VP, because Fox News has to lie and present her as stupid -continuously- to reassure themselves that black women can never be competent.
Plus - legally, financially Kamala is the only one entitled to all that Biden/Harris fundraising. Not to mention being up to date on all the security briefings etc.
I have no vote in this election as I am part of the rest of the world shivering and begging America not to do the thing. But I remain grateful to Biden for his support in keeping Europe free of Putin, so there is a lot of loyalty there. I’m still with Biden because I think we can’t afford any distractions from the task of highlighting the GOP are open fascists.
Also yes to why Dems panic. Anyone who knows the stakes panics. It’s called taking it seriously, dickwads. But for now, I’m with Biden, and if he can’t make it to 2 terms age wise, that’s why we elect VPs.
My main objection to her has not been "focus group brain", it's just been a brutally shallow but realistic aesthetic point: Her voice is too nasal. Nasal candidates don't generally do well.
However, I do agree that pundits aren't honestly entertaining how to make the best of a Harris candidacy, which is a very serious practical implementation problem here RE forcing Biden to drop.
One of the most useful new words I learned last year is “misogynoir.” This country can’t handle the thought of a white woman (HRC) as president, let alone a Black woman — and, as usual, it wouldn’t matter how intelligent, experienced, and capable she may be. It’s no surprise whatsoever that a “Blame Jill Biden” theme has now emerged from the political chatterboxes, apparently for not revealing to America that Joe is old and suffers occasionally from the vicissitudes of old age. And she doesn’t even use an astrologer!
In 2003, Shirley Chisholm said, “I met far more discrimination being a woman than being black when I moved out into the political arena.” I feel like, we just need to keep ridin’ with Biden and get him across the finish line, heave a sigh of relief, and let the chips fall. Kamala Harris is indeed ready and willing to fill his shoes if need be, and those who don’t like that can fuck off.
Sorry if this is disjointed, I’m rather terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought, waiting for the SCOTUS immunity decision to drop.
Well problem is Biden (and Harris) is the only ticket with the *track record* of actually beating President Klan Robe. Candidate Unbeatable never emerged (and really nothing exists that will be for Dems). Every one who would be touted is an academic question, and very few have won statewide elections.
Do note too that it is people like James Carville saying Biden should drop out. Biden already acknowledged fucking up, but I assume rank-and-file Dems will keep this story alive by continuously panicking. After all Dems need perfection.
If people want the floor fight at the convention after Biden got the nominees after it, all I can say is, “if ya feel froggy, jump!” I am curious to see who thinks they are unbeatable especially with a fully operational right-wing media human centipede.
Of course the same folks want to turf out Kamala Harris for reasons I am sure are not sketchy or racist or sexist. I tangled with a guy who said she was “a caricature of a DEI hire” and said she was appointed in 2016 and I said no, she won the Senate election as it was an open seat. Again it is people like Carville.
But hey it is nothing I can control. I enjoyed the policy and fights, and I see who the real enemy is, the people who want to hurt us. It is not the first time America voted to hurt us after all. It gave Reagan and Dumbya two terms after all.
Another thing about Biden and Harris - they are the only two people in the world who can use all of the campaign cash that the Biden/Harris campaign has raised, including the small contribution that I made last night. I don't want President Biden to drop out, but VP Harris is the only person who I would accept in his place. She's earned it, she would make a great president, and she would be able to use all of that campaign cash. I donated to Biden/Harris, not some mythical candidate who is a combination of Aragorn, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ and MLK.
I can see some legitimate concern about Harris's electability, as her track record was underwhelming in the 2020 primary and her polling has long lagged even Biden's. But many solid campaigners had a bad earlier campaign (look how bad Biden's were in 1988 and 2008), and being VP usually doesn't make you popular because you're stuck cheerleading for a POTUS and not getting real responsibilities. But that's what makes Biden's team so absurd--Harris isn't just a typical VP, she's a VP for the oldest POTUS of all time, so people know she's very likely to be "promoted". All the more reason they should have done everything possible to enhance her electability for years now--far more visibility in interviews and rallies, some opportunities for real responsibilities and "wins", etc. It's not too late now, but they're insane if they don't work on this (and of course she has to step up herself--this campaign will be won or lost on her popularity).
Bluntly put, Harris was an arrogant choice by Biden. It’s what you do when you’re a decades younger and reasonably expect to finish both your terms. You benefit from pleasing a key electorate and you move on. But this is the VP of a POTUS in his 80s. We needed someone with a track record of success with the punditry and the key swing state voters. Don’t spend four years whining instead about how the media is mean to Harris and swing voters are all a bunch of sexist bigots. This is reality.
I don't think they can replace her, unless she voluntarily chose to do it and I can't see her making that choice (even for SCOTUS, and THAT depends on Sotomayor). So the question is, who could they pick to replace Harris that would undo the damage caused by replacing Harris?
I think we're in a shit sandwich. I suppose if in 2022 Biden announced he was not running for re-election that would have alleviated all of this, but that comes with its own risks (as well as the message that Biden admits failure).
Also if he says that, nobody is going to try for expansive progressive policy again. I always ask, what is the point of voting for Democrats? You can either get experience that lets you navigate a Senate full of egotistical babies, or just young and vibrant and strong (ala Clinton and Obama I suppose). But the latter are once-in-a-lifetime.
That is one of the many downsides if Biden loses--the political lesson will be "here was a moderate Democrat who delivered liberal policy, achieved outcomes liberals long claimed they wanted, and he lost re-election"--what POTUS will try that in the future? Instead they'll learn that Clinton's triangulation or Obama's austerity were the way to go.
Yep--and at this point she's all they got. Either they put her out there and she rises to the occasion, or it all collapses.
I just don't see Biden choosing to step down, even less would I expect Harris to bow out (even if offered a SCOTUS seat, which THEN would require Sotomayor agreeing to not RBG herself), so all the "switcheroo" fantasies are pretty much just fantasies. But they have to accept the reality that when people are voting for Biden they're voting for Harris to likely become POTUS before 2028.
She’s not controversial though she could be. She has been addressing abortion. More real talk needs to come out of her and Biden, that is snarky, direct, and tough!
That's an evergreen problem for Democrats--they have to find ways to cut through the noise and get their message out because the media won't be doing them any favors.
>>“if [Biden] were to drop out, it would lead to weeks of chaos, internal foodfighting, and a bunch of candidates who limp into a brutal floor fight at the convention, all while Donald Trump has time to speak to American voters uncontested.”
The best way to prevent this actually happening... is for Democrats to not shiv each other.
Like, duh, how hard is it to NOT shiv your friends and coworkers? I somehow manage to not do this every single day of my life. WTF?
At the best of times it is like herding cats and that is why the major figures are sticking with Biden, I noticed. Punditry are all aboard the train, they want the fight.
I am a Left and I know that we will freak the fuck out if the white dudes in back rooms shove another nominee onto the ticket. We had primaries. People get pissed when they suspect that primaries are essentially theater, like taking our shoes off at the airport. We will lose the general if Biden is replaced. I'm voting for Biden and Harris. Courting the splintering of the non-right voters is the way to lose in the general. Biden/ Harris or bust.
The irony is if Democrats did just let Trump speak uncontested, it would likely harm Trump more than anyone because he turns off most voters.
But at this stage it seems whether Biden stays in or steps down as nominee (and I think most likely he stays in), Democrats MUST feature Harris far more prominently than VPs normally are--frankly, they needed to do this since 2020 because Biden's age makes most voters--supporters and detractors alike--see her not just as a potential heir apparent, but as a very likely one. (This is similar to Truman in 1944, when Democrats and a lot of outsiders could tell FDR's health was really bad and he likely would not survive another full term). It is on Harris to become a better campaigner and interviewee, sure, but she is going to be carrying this and she will have to win over voters with the implicit message of "Biden may not make it til 2028, or even 2025, but I can steer the ship".
If she's not up for it, then get Sotomayor to resign, put Harris on the Supreme Court, and pick another VP who can reassure the public, but of course that requires massaging a lot of other egos as well.
Given the way TV culture is we could never have another FDR because of his obvious physical disability. And that is an indictment of the MSM more than anything.
All of that isn't as fun though (or click-generating) as anti-Dem FUD though, so what will happen is people will keep sticking mics in James Carville's face, call him a “Top Democrat” and get those clicks with the headline!
Media definitely have their agenda--chaos sells! An open convention sells! But that would be a huge risk for the party.
I don't know whether it's better for Biden to step down or stay as nominee yet--it all depends on things we outsiders don't know, namely "can he revamp his image to look more like Truman 1948, "Fightin' Joe" sort of thing on the stump, or is he truly incapable of this--but either way, a Dem win this fall goes right through Harris. Even Biden's biggest fans think there's more chance than not that he won't last another full term.
I agree. Debates are a 19th century anachronism. It's because people watching and evaluating care nothing about what is debated but how the debaters appear when they say it.
Vote like it may be the last chance you’ll ever get to vote. Because it is.
I think one of the biggest driving factors of this election, like it was in 2020, is negative partisanship. I, personally, happen to like Biden very much. I think he’s been a phenomenal president, and has actually done a lot, especially given this recalcitrant MAGA-run House, to make lives better for Americans. I also wish he were younger, and I’m sure he does as well. I would also be perfectly happy if he wins and then steps down during his term to make way for President Harris. Same good, tasty Democratic policy in a younger, healthier, spry President. No issues there for me and (hopefully) most Biden voters I think.
However, I am not so much motivated by my affection for Biden/Harris as I am by my incandescent hatred for that bloated, fetid, immoral, cruel, narcissistic, racist, xenophobic, antisemitic, misogynistic destructive, willfully ignorant, solipsistic garden slug who already had 4 years too many to pollute the White House. He is a singular danger to the Republic and the very fact that he was able to run again for the most powerful office in the world after his malignant malpractice led to the deaths of over a million Americans, not to mention his incitement of an insurrection is unforgivable. Ludicrous. And beggars belief. THAT is what the NY Times should be spilling ink on and not whether Biden is old and had a bad night. He did, he did have a bad night. And when Biden has a bad night, the country has a bad night. Because, for some stupid reason, the optics of an old man who stumbled at a debate against an unrepentant lying monster seems to matter more than, again, for the cheap seats, the fucking monster he was forced to share the debate stage with. The courts won’t save us, the media, addicted to eyeballs and subscription fees won’t save us, only our votes, if we can keep them, will save us. And, to be clear, votes against that vile PoS and the fascist-curious treason party continuing to prop him up. And I’m not at all sure enough people understand that. I hope they do. It couldn’t possibly be any clearer.
Very well said!
TY! And we can’t assume the very toxicity of Trump’s noxious existence will be enough to dissuade people. That was Hillary’s mistake in 2016. For better or for worse, now, though, we at least have his path of destruction as president to point to. That should at least be able to peel off a few more voters somehow on the fence.
I know that there are some who will disagree with my take on this election cycle, but here it is:
1) There is no voter left in the country that hasn't already formed an opinion on the 2 candidates.
2) The ones that reliably vote for the GOP will continue to do so, or they may stay home if they are honest enough to admit that Trump is scum.
3) No Democrat is going to be swayed from voting D simply because Biden had a bad night against a despicable, unrepentant con-man who spews lies faster than bullets exit a Gatling gun.
4) The Democratic party will be harmed more by dissension and waffling than anything else either Biden or Trump could say. Forget replacement.
5) VP Harris should be out there EVERY single day loudly repeating that the GOP has nominated a convicted felon and rapist and anti-democratic loser, and so should Biden.
6) EVERY Democratic surrogate should be making the point consistently that citizens would lose even more constitutional rights if Trump is put back in office. Abortion rights are just the beginning.
Lastly, it's critical to drive home the point that the reactionaries on the Supreme Court MUST be overwhelmingly defeated. That won't happen unless Dems retain the Senate majority and the White House.
THIS! Both Biden and Harris need to be or there together. Often. Every person who is anti Trump needs to remind the rest of the people that we are choosing between the U.S. as a democracy and a fascist country that may end up broken into pieces. That’s what we’re voting for. Let’s go!🧢🧢
*Edit: They need to be together often!
Given their immunity ruling today, it’s a mandate to get that court back on track.
All good points. I think it's notable that polls haven't shown much post-debate movement yet, I think while people are horrified at Biden's performance they're still in the "I'm still voting for him, I'd vote for his corpse over Trump" camp. I guess the risk is Biden still needs to gain ground against Trump, and it isn't likely he can do so if he isn't up to it.
That's where Harris comes in. I don't see any evidence she's a good campaigner, but she had better become one now, and get out there fighting.
100% on all the political technocrats ignoring Kamala. They are thinking with their ‘white undecideds’ focus group brain on and ignoring the point of a VP, because Fox News has to lie and present her as stupid -continuously- to reassure themselves that black women can never be competent.
Plus - legally, financially Kamala is the only one entitled to all that Biden/Harris fundraising. Not to mention being up to date on all the security briefings etc.
I have no vote in this election as I am part of the rest of the world shivering and begging America not to do the thing. But I remain grateful to Biden for his support in keeping Europe free of Putin, so there is a lot of loyalty there. I’m still with Biden because I think we can’t afford any distractions from the task of highlighting the GOP are open fascists.
Also yes to why Dems panic. Anyone who knows the stakes panics. It’s called taking it seriously, dickwads. But for now, I’m with Biden, and if he can’t make it to 2 terms age wise, that’s why we elect VPs.
My main objection to her has not been "focus group brain", it's just been a brutally shallow but realistic aesthetic point: Her voice is too nasal. Nasal candidates don't generally do well.
However, I do agree that pundits aren't honestly entertaining how to make the best of a Harris candidacy, which is a very serious practical implementation problem here RE forcing Biden to drop.
Well at least they can’t complain about Trump making her look pale.
I like her voice, but then again I’m not a U.S. voter.
Thank you, Stephen.
One of the most useful new words I learned last year is “misogynoir.” This country can’t handle the thought of a white woman (HRC) as president, let alone a Black woman — and, as usual, it wouldn’t matter how intelligent, experienced, and capable she may be. It’s no surprise whatsoever that a “Blame Jill Biden” theme has now emerged from the political chatterboxes, apparently for not revealing to America that Joe is old and suffers occasionally from the vicissitudes of old age. And she doesn’t even use an astrologer!
In 2003, Shirley Chisholm said, “I met far more discrimination being a woman than being black when I moved out into the political arena.” I feel like, we just need to keep ridin’ with Biden and get him across the finish line, heave a sigh of relief, and let the chips fall. Kamala Harris is indeed ready and willing to fill his shoes if need be, and those who don’t like that can fuck off.
Sorry if this is disjointed, I’m rather terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought, waiting for the SCOTUS immunity decision to drop.
"Blame Jill Biden" surprises me, but it shouldn't. Sigh.
As for the SCOTUS immunity decision, it does suck, as Eva said, but it's not a surprise.
It dropped and it sucked.
Well problem is Biden (and Harris) is the only ticket with the *track record* of actually beating President Klan Robe. Candidate Unbeatable never emerged (and really nothing exists that will be for Dems). Every one who would be touted is an academic question, and very few have won statewide elections.
Do note too that it is people like James Carville saying Biden should drop out. Biden already acknowledged fucking up, but I assume rank-and-file Dems will keep this story alive by continuously panicking. After all Dems need perfection.
If people want the floor fight at the convention after Biden got the nominees after it, all I can say is, “if ya feel froggy, jump!” I am curious to see who thinks they are unbeatable especially with a fully operational right-wing media human centipede.
Of course the same folks want to turf out Kamala Harris for reasons I am sure are not sketchy or racist or sexist. I tangled with a guy who said she was “a caricature of a DEI hire” and said she was appointed in 2016 and I said no, she won the Senate election as it was an open seat. Again it is people like Carville.
But hey it is nothing I can control. I enjoyed the policy and fights, and I see who the real enemy is, the people who want to hurt us. It is not the first time America voted to hurt us after all. It gave Reagan and Dumbya two terms after all.
Another thing about Biden and Harris - they are the only two people in the world who can use all of the campaign cash that the Biden/Harris campaign has raised, including the small contribution that I made last night. I don't want President Biden to drop out, but VP Harris is the only person who I would accept in his place. She's earned it, she would make a great president, and she would be able to use all of that campaign cash. I donated to Biden/Harris, not some mythical candidate who is a combination of Aragorn, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ and MLK.
I can see some legitimate concern about Harris's electability, as her track record was underwhelming in the 2020 primary and her polling has long lagged even Biden's. But many solid campaigners had a bad earlier campaign (look how bad Biden's were in 1988 and 2008), and being VP usually doesn't make you popular because you're stuck cheerleading for a POTUS and not getting real responsibilities. But that's what makes Biden's team so absurd--Harris isn't just a typical VP, she's a VP for the oldest POTUS of all time, so people know she's very likely to be "promoted". All the more reason they should have done everything possible to enhance her electability for years now--far more visibility in interviews and rallies, some opportunities for real responsibilities and "wins", etc. It's not too late now, but they're insane if they don't work on this (and of course she has to step up herself--this campaign will be won or lost on her popularity).
Bluntly put, Harris was an arrogant choice by Biden. It’s what you do when you’re a decades younger and reasonably expect to finish both your terms. You benefit from pleasing a key electorate and you move on. But this is the VP of a POTUS in his 80s. We needed someone with a track record of success with the punditry and the key swing state voters. Don’t spend four years whining instead about how the media is mean to Harris and swing voters are all a bunch of sexist bigots. This is reality.
Alright then fair enough. Who do you think he should replace her with? Or do you think floor fight, go for Newsom/Whitmer?
I don't think they can replace her, unless she voluntarily chose to do it and I can't see her making that choice (even for SCOTUS, and THAT depends on Sotomayor). So the question is, who could they pick to replace Harris that would undo the damage caused by replacing Harris?
I think we're in a shit sandwich. I suppose if in 2022 Biden announced he was not running for re-election that would have alleviated all of this, but that comes with its own risks (as well as the message that Biden admits failure).
Also if he says that, nobody is going to try for expansive progressive policy again. I always ask, what is the point of voting for Democrats? You can either get experience that lets you navigate a Senate full of egotistical babies, or just young and vibrant and strong (ala Clinton and Obama I suppose). But the latter are once-in-a-lifetime.
That is one of the many downsides if Biden loses--the political lesson will be "here was a moderate Democrat who delivered liberal policy, achieved outcomes liberals long claimed they wanted, and he lost re-election"--what POTUS will try that in the future? Instead they'll learn that Clinton's triangulation or Obama's austerity were the way to go.
Yep--and at this point she's all they got. Either they put her out there and she rises to the occasion, or it all collapses.
I just don't see Biden choosing to step down, even less would I expect Harris to bow out (even if offered a SCOTUS seat, which THEN would require Sotomayor agreeing to not RBG herself), so all the "switcheroo" fantasies are pretty much just fantasies. But they have to accept the reality that when people are voting for Biden they're voting for Harris to likely become POTUS before 2028.
The problem was she has been doing events but for some reason people don't like covering or sharing them.
She’s not controversial though she could be. She has been addressing abortion. More real talk needs to come out of her and Biden, that is snarky, direct, and tough!
That's an evergreen problem for Democrats--they have to find ways to cut through the noise and get their message out because the media won't be doing them any favors.
This is something Democratic influencers could be doing, but FUD is more fun.
>>“if [Biden] were to drop out, it would lead to weeks of chaos, internal foodfighting, and a bunch of candidates who limp into a brutal floor fight at the convention, all while Donald Trump has time to speak to American voters uncontested.”
The best way to prevent this actually happening... is for Democrats to not shiv each other.
Like, duh, how hard is it to NOT shiv your friends and coworkers? I somehow manage to not do this every single day of my life. WTF?
At the best of times it is like herding cats and that is why the major figures are sticking with Biden, I noticed. Punditry are all aboard the train, they want the fight.
I am a Left and I know that we will freak the fuck out if the white dudes in back rooms shove another nominee onto the ticket. We had primaries. People get pissed when they suspect that primaries are essentially theater, like taking our shoes off at the airport. We will lose the general if Biden is replaced. I'm voting for Biden and Harris. Courting the splintering of the non-right voters is the way to lose in the general. Biden/ Harris or bust.
The irony is if Democrats did just let Trump speak uncontested, it would likely harm Trump more than anyone because he turns off most voters.
But at this stage it seems whether Biden stays in or steps down as nominee (and I think most likely he stays in), Democrats MUST feature Harris far more prominently than VPs normally are--frankly, they needed to do this since 2020 because Biden's age makes most voters--supporters and detractors alike--see her not just as a potential heir apparent, but as a very likely one. (This is similar to Truman in 1944, when Democrats and a lot of outsiders could tell FDR's health was really bad and he likely would not survive another full term). It is on Harris to become a better campaigner and interviewee, sure, but she is going to be carrying this and she will have to win over voters with the implicit message of "Biden may not make it til 2028, or even 2025, but I can steer the ship".
If she's not up for it, then get Sotomayor to resign, put Harris on the Supreme Court, and pick another VP who can reassure the public, but of course that requires massaging a lot of other egos as well.
Given the way TV culture is we could never have another FDR because of his obvious physical disability. And that is an indictment of the MSM more than anything.
All of that isn't as fun though (or click-generating) as anti-Dem FUD though, so what will happen is people will keep sticking mics in James Carville's face, call him a “Top Democrat” and get those clicks with the headline!
Media definitely have their agenda--chaos sells! An open convention sells! But that would be a huge risk for the party.
I don't know whether it's better for Biden to step down or stay as nominee yet--it all depends on things we outsiders don't know, namely "can he revamp his image to look more like Truman 1948, "Fightin' Joe" sort of thing on the stump, or is he truly incapable of this--but either way, a Dem win this fall goes right through Harris. Even Biden's biggest fans think there's more chance than not that he won't last another full term.
He's already back on his feet.
I agree. Debates are a 19th century anachronism. It's because people watching and evaluating care nothing about what is debated but how the debaters appear when they say it.