Many voters believe, with good reason, that none of this would have happened without Biden’s assent. Biden has continued to speak of Israel’s attack on Palestinian civilians using the absurd language of “self-defense”. He has insulted Jewish Americans and the memory of the Holocaust by invoking them to justify the slaughter. And though his White House repeatedly leaks that he is “privately” dismayed by Israel’s conduct of the war, he has done little to stop the flow of US money and guns that support it.
Even after the US state department issued a vexed and mealy-mouthed report on Israel’s conduct, which nevertheless concluded that it was reasonable to assess that Israel was in violation of international humanitarian law, the Biden administration has continued to fund these violations. That state department report was published on 10 May. The Biden administration told Congress that it intends to move forward with a $1bn arms sale to Israel. “OK, [Israel] likely broke the law, but not enough to change policy,” is how one reporter summarized the administration’s judgment. “So, what is the point of the report? I mean, in the simplest terms, what’s the point?”
Meanwhile, Biden has expressed public disdain for the Americans – many of whom he needs to vote for him – who have taken to protest on behalf of Palestinian lives. Speaking with evident approval of the violent police crackdowns against anti-genocide student demonstrations, he said coolly: “Dissent must never lead to disorder.”
But…who?
I’d like to see someone like Jasmine Crockett or Jamie Raskin make a run for it, but I don’t know if they’ve got the national popularity to be able to take down Trump. And with Crockett being black, Raskin being Jewish, and Trump running on a pro-racism platform and being backed by extremists like the Proud Boys, putting Trump up against a minority may end up riling up Trump’s base even more (I’m not saying this is right, but the reality is that a not-insignificant portion of Trump’s base is heavily racist and would turn out in droves just to make sure a black or Jewish person isn’t elected again, and I’m not sure that either Raskin or Crockett would be popular enough nationally to overcome it, especially in today’s political climate).
There are a bunch of people that I hope are eyeing a 2028 run, but there’s really nobody I could see on the Democrat side of the aisle who’s both ready and able to take down Trump this year. I understand people’s dislike of Biden and all of that, but I still think he’s the least shitty option available that has a realistic chance of winning.
I think it’s probably too late to even bother speculating, but I think that there are a few who could’ve been better picks if Biden had chosen to not run for reelection and we got a full primary. Adam Schiff has proven to be organized and effective. Katie Porter might need more experience, but the way CA districts got adjusted it might’ve been a good time for her to shoot her shot. Hakeem Jeffries has proven his ability to unite the party. Gavin Newsom ain’t perfect, but I wouldn’t be surprised by a Presidential run in 28 or 32; he could’ve been a solid pick for this year too. I know he’s had an unsuccessful attempt already, but Pete Buttigieg is charismatic af, speaks laps around everybody, and now has more experience than in his run years ago; he’s much more ready now.
I’m certainly missing other rising stars, and each of these people has their own baggage as everybody does, but I’m confident that these all would’ve been good nominees right now. I didn’t bother renaming Raskin, but I think he would’ve done fine this year too. Crockett is great, but I think she might need a little more time before she can realistically hope for a successful Presidential run. I’d love to see her do more in committees, go to the Senate, or even get a cabinet position before she tries for that level. I like her passion and no nonsense approach, but I want to see her capability for calm unity over clapback, and I think that will come from further experience.
Idk, I’m kinda excited for up and coming younger Democrats; I’m also terrified of the dogshit up and coming younger Republicans who are basically just professional twitter trolls.
He’s got a couple of problems. One is that Trump spent 4 years painting him as a lightning rod, and the other is that he’s got all the charisma of a doorknob. I do not think he has what it takes to be able to take on the Trump Hate Machine when push comes to shove. He’s OK in short soundbytes, but I don’t see him having what it takes to take Trump on head-on.
At the very least, she needs more time. And I don’t know quite how to put this without coming off as discriminatory in some form, but she seems like the type that a lot of middle- and upper-middle class people wouldn’t take seriously because she’s too “working class”.
Like Schiff, problem #1 is that he’s got the charisma of a doorknob. Problem #2 is that he’s black, which again will rile up the GOP base and drive turnout for the racists who may have otherwise stayed home but are now gonna go and make sure that another black person doesn’t get elected again. I wouldn’t consider this as an issue normally, but Trump is literally campaigning on racism.
My understanding is he didn’t want it. And my memory is fuzzy, but I remember there being somewhat of an uproar when rumors started circulating that he was going to run. Personally, I thought he’d have been fine, but there were plenty of talking heads that I remember saying it wasn’t a good idea.
I think he’d be an excellent choice in general, but I think he sometimes leads a little too hard into his homosexuality. While this normally shouldn’t be an issue, when your opponent is literally running on a platform of hate and has a base of racists that is much larger than most people thought pre-Trump, giving Trump a lightning rod like Buttigieg to be able to point to may not be the best strategy.
And again, it shouldn’t be this way. But when Trump’s base of racists is as large as it is and the margins in swing states are so small, putting a minority up there that doesn’t have the national popularity (or, quite frankly, the charisma and aggression) to overcome Trumpism in these swing states may end up doing more harm than good.
All fair points that I didn’t want to hear lol. At the same time, it’s been proven that a man of color can win the presidency and that a woman of color can win the vice presidency in this country, so I’m hesitant to jump right into thinking that only a white, Christian, hetero, cis man can beat trump. It might even get more excitement out of people to come vote for something that isn’t yet another old white guy, which is the only real reason I was hesitant to mention Newsom.
Idk, it’s all speculation on a hypothetical situation, so it’s impossible to say how well anybody would’ve done in this scenario. Just interesting to hear others’ thoughts and see a more thoughtful take than usual. Cheers :)
Cheers to you too. :)
I just want to reply to this by saying that in this political environment, the fact that they’re minorities makes their job more difficult against this opponent. I could see someone like Hakeem Jeffries with a more aggressive attitude like AOC or Crockett being able to take on Trump and win. But the reality of the situation is that you’ve got to bring a LOT of ammo and a LOT of chutzpah to the table if you’re going to take on Trump as a minority, and I’m not convinced that people like Jeffries have that on their own. At least not right now. In a more “regular” election, absolutely. But I just don’t see someone like Jeffries being able to withstand months of what would be an endless firehose of racism pointed right at his face while he’s trying to mount a campaign actually based on the issues instead of just answering whatever Trump vomited up this morning.
Small nitpick: AOC turns 35 a month before the election. She’s old enough to become president.
Now I don’t think she’d have a chance this time for numerous reasons (including many will say she’s not old enough to be experienced enough), but age is not legally a factor.
I know people jump on the no celebrity thing, for good reason usually, but I’d pick Jon Stewart honestly.
Sure he’s older than many may hope for, but he’s still significantly younger than our current realistic choices. Add to the fact he has a proven track record of actually going to bat for the little guy, and I think he’s liked enough by most liberal leaning people he might actually have a chance.
But if wishes were fishes, I’d have the ocean.