Last night’s debate was a brutal blow to the Democrats, and I’m not going to sugar coat it here. Biden got off to a tough start, which is an understatement.
But you know what, I would still vote for him in a heartbeat, that’s how bad Trump is.
To be sure, Biden solidified his position as the night went on, but in this age of viral video and short attention spans, such early stumbles are politically valuable to Republicans.
We are faced with a harsh reality: it’s not about what we want, it’s about what we have and what we do with it.
President Biden’s administration has delivered real, tangible benefits to average Americans. He$1,400 in people’s pocketsWhen you need it mostA lifeline for the unemployedandSaved children from povertyThe expansion of the child tax credit boosted small businesses and provided financial support to schools.COVID vaccine rolloutIt actually happened.
His trillion dollarsInfrastructure BillIt’s not just about talking. It’s about rebuilding a crumbling country, from roads to internet access to clean water. AndCHIPS ActHe’s bringing manufacturing back home and investing in a cleaner, smarter future.
And the Trump presidency? A four-year garbage heap of chaos, division and blatant attacks on democracy. Trump was burning it all down while Biden was building. He didn’t just break norms, he struck at the very foundation of the republic. His leadership (if you can call it that) left America more divided, more unstable and more embarrassing to the world than it’s ever been before.
The choice ahead is not just about different policies: whether we want a leader who actually governs, or a would-be dictator who treats the presidency like a reality TV show.
Biden may be at a loss for words, but Trump is at a loss for basic human decency and democratic principles.
Herein lies the real problem: First impressions matter a lot in today’s fast-paced media environment. Many viewers may have stopped watching or formed their opinions before Biden had a chance to take his position. The brief comments and video clips circulating online are likely focused on Biden’s missteps, not his eventual recovery.
Let me be clear: I have no hesitation in voting for Joe Biden over Donald Trump. Trump’s term in office has been marked by chaos, the destruction of norms, and attacks on our democratic institutions. He represents an existential threat to the principles that have long guided our nation.
But here’s the question for us: If Trump poses such a grave danger, can we afford to field a candidate who has given the Republican Party so much ammunition?
It’s time for Democrats to have an honest, even difficult, conversation about the path forward. This doesn’t mean abandoning Biden or his accomplishments, but it does mean building on his accomplishments while recognizing the need for support from people who can consistently perform strong under pressure.
Our party is blessed with a deep bench of talented, progressive leaders who can help Democrats get the job done. Figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) represent the diversity and dynamism of the Democratic coalition. They have the potential to energize voters, especially younger generations, in ways that Biden no longer can.
These candidates have the advantage of being able to run on Biden’s record without the burden of his decline. They can defend the successes of the past four years, from tackling climate change to investing in infrastructure, while offering a fresh perspective on the challenges ahead.
Biden’s stumbles are obvious, we all see them. Sure, he’s done some good things, but his shaky performance is too big to ignore. And yet the fact that so many people would choose Biden over Trump speaks not to Biden’s strength, but to how terrible Trump is.
We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Change candidates now? Political suicide. But cling to Biden as if he is our only hope? That is not a winning strategy either. This chaos is a time to prove that we can evolve when we need to. It will be painful, but it is far better than another four years of Trump chaos.
A friend texted me during the debate: “Biden clearly won if you ignored his stutter and his age, but it’s hard to ignore if you’re still undecided.” She was right.
We’re tied to Biden, but that doesn’t mean we can’t evolve our approach. Now is the time to marshal our strengths, shore up our weaknesses, and fight as if our democracy depended on it. And it does.
Let’s be honest. This is about defending democracy, not party loyalty. As Democrats, we say we put country before party, and now we have to prove it. We need a winner in November, nothing else matters. You can’t change the quarterback, but you can improve the strategy.
If Joe Biden is our only choice, we must support him with all our might. It will be a bumpy road until Election Day, but if we adapt, innovate, and come together, we can still win this election. And we must. If we don’t, we’ll not only lose the election, we’ll lose our democracy.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. The American people are counting on us, and we must leverage every strength, address every weakness, and fight with a ferocity commensurate with the gravity of this moment.
Michael Starr Hopkins is the host of “It Matters/w Michael Starr Hopkins.”
