Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s attempt to hold onto the presidency amid rising questions about his fitness for office has unraveled faster than a cheap knockoff sweater. After months of downplaying concerns about his mental acuity, it took just one debate against Donald Trump for Biden’s frailty to be starkly exposed to the American public. The moment Biden struggled to form coherent thoughts, it became evident that even his own party was no longer willing to back him.
Democratic lawmakers began exhibiting a sense of urgency, calling for Biden to exit the race to allow a fresher face, like Vice President Kamala Harris, to take charge. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s ally, Rep. Zoe Lofgren from California, made headlines by urging Biden to step aside. The pressure was mounting like a high-pressure system over a sunny vacation spot — and it appeared that even the White House couldn’t escape the storm brewing within the Democratic Party.
As the Republicans were rallying in Milwaukee to show their robust support for Trump, Biden delivered some shocking news of his own. At the age of 81, he announced he had contracted COVID-19, leaving a dismal impression against Trump’s image of toughness, particularly after surviving a dire assassination attempt. Adding insult to injury, a poll published by the Associated Press revealed that nearly two-thirds of Democrats wanted Biden to pack it up and pass the baton to someone else.
In a move that could only be described as historical, Biden announced he would suspend his campaign for a second term, citing the need to focus on his presidential duties rather than engaging in a losing electoral battle. If he thought this letter posted on social media would make him the hero of his own story, he was sorely mistaken. His decision came in the wake of at least 37 Democrats publicly urging him to withdraw, all while the Republicans basked in a convention brimming with enthusiasm.
Political commentators couldn’t resist weighing in on Biden’s predicament. Numerous Democratic strategists pointed out that the incessant calls for Biden to step down were damaging his political capital more than any Republican attack could manage. They lamented how unlike Republicans, who rallied around Trump amid monumental controversies, Biden’s supporters seemed to be evaporating like a mirage in the desert. The June debate was a significant turning point, showcasing Biden’s visibly diminished capabilities and affirming what many had feared — he was not operating at peak performance.
Washington Examiner: Biden’s debate performance and COVID diagnosis helped sink campaign https://t.co/uu4G164SbB
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 21, 2024
As the dust settled from this unprecedented political upheaval, Biden endorsed Kamala Harris to take the mantle of the Democratic nominee. With the Democratic National Convention looming just around the corner, it is evident that Biden’s departure has set the stage for an interesting political game where his party will have to figure out how to position themselves against Trump with a very short timeline to get their act together.
In summary, Biden’s presidency crumbled under its own weight, revealing deep chasms in the Democratic Party’s cohesion. While Democrats scramble to regroup and find a suitable successor, Republican enthusiasm continues to swell, positioning 2024 for what promises to be an exhilarating political battle.
