The revulsion against President Biden that had built up among some Democrats since the president’s debate performance has disappeared from the headlines, and some are speculating that it may be for good.
Just a few days ago, Biden’s hold on the nomination was viewed in serious doubt. A series of brutal reports — on him Falling fundraisingon something His own allies are losing confidence In that, and on The top personality of the team It seems personal Open to his ouster — gave him a shock last Wednesday and Thursday. An unnamed source told reporters this information dozen More House Democrats will soon Publicly called on him to step down.
But after Biden held a press conference Thursday evening in which he answered questions from reporters for nearly an hour, the promised defections flooded in. Not implemented; It was more like a trickle. His qualified performance there seemed to freeze things, leaving Democrats deadlocked heading into the weekend.
Then, on Saturday evening, a rally at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, was shot dead and Trump wounded. And that had a few consequences for Biden.
First, it changed the subject. Since the June 27 presidential debate, the media has been obsessed with Biden and the 81-year-old president’s age; It was the biggest news in the country. The nonstop coverage put a lot of pressure on Biden and Democrats, but now, Trump’s shooting has knocked Biden’s fortunes out of the headlines.
Second, it’s usually helpful for a president in crisis to do something “presidential”: demonstrate the importance and dignity of the office and seem bigger than the trivial politics of the moment. So after Trump’s shooting, Biden took an upbeat tone with the call For national unity. Also, the violence of the weekend can increase an effect: things are chaotic In the country now. Do the Democrats really want to add to the chaos by effectively impeaching their president?
Third, and most controversially, the instinctive reaction of some Democrats to Trump’s firing was to assume that he would now win the presidency and conclude that a messy and difficult push to replace Biden was not worthwhile, since Biden would also be replaced. probably lose. “We’re all resigned to a second Trump presidency,” a senior House Democrat said. told Axios In an already-infamous quote on Sunday.
That chain of reasoning is clearly flawed. It’s too early to rule out an election months away, so it could be mainly a justification for the inertia and inaction that core Democrats were already leaning toward. But the result is clear: It helps hold Biden back.
The Democratic National Convention is just over a month away, so Biden just has to hold on until then. He could even lock things down sooner if the DNC chooses to ask delegates to make his nomination official A virtual roll callA proposal they are currently considering.
So, Biden’s chances of re-nomination suddenly look better.
It’s still not a sure thing, though: He still has to make it through the next few weeks without another episode that raises concerns about his age and health. Also, more Democrats may simply choose to rekindle the rebellion.
The turmoil of the past few weeks in American politics reminds us that the unexpected lies ahead and that nothing is certain until it happens.
