The Road to a Crisis: How Democrats Let Biden Glide to Renomination

It’s no secret that the Democratic party is facing a crisis. With Joe Biden’s approval ratings hovering in the low 40s, and the party facing a tough midterm election in 2022, many are questioning whether the party can hold onto the White House in 2024.

But while the media focuses on the looming threat of a red wave, a more fundamental question emerges: how did Biden even secure the Democratic nomination in the first place?

The answer, unfortunately, lies in a confluence of factors that illustrate a worrying trend within the party: a lack of real competition and a tendency to prioritize experience over vision.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Democrats allowed Biden to coast to renomination:

1. A Lack of Strong Challengers: Despite a wave of discontent with Biden’s handling of issues like inflation and the withdrawal from Afghanistan, no serious Democratic contender emerged to challenge him.

• Data: While Kamala Harris was initially considered a potential challenger, she ultimately declined to run.

• Case Study: The 2020 primary saw a diverse field of candidates, but none ultimately gained the momentum necessary to challenge Biden’s front-runner status.

2. A “Default” Nominee: Many Democrats simply saw Biden as the most “electable” candidate, despite concerns about his age and declining cognitive abilities.

• Data: A 2021 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 61% of Democrats believed that Biden would be the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump in 2024.

• Case Study: This phenomenon was most evident in the 2020 primary, where Biden’s early lead was attributed in part to his perceived experience and familiarity with voters.

3. A Party of “Experience” Over “Vision”: The Democratic party has a history of prioritizing experience over fresh ideas, a tendency that arguably contributed to Biden’s nomination.

• Data: Biden’s campaign centered heavily on his years of experience in Washington, often contrasting himself with the perceived “outsider” status of Donald Trump.

• Case Study: This strategy resonated with many Democratic voters, but it also highlighted a lack of vision and a reluctance to embrace new ideas.

The Consequences:

The lack of competition and the “experience over vision” approach have led to a Democratic party that appears increasingly disconnected from the needs and desires of its base. This disconnect is reflected in Biden’s low approval ratings and the party’s struggles in recent elections.

Moving Forward:

For Democrats to avoid a repeat of 2024, they need to address these issues head-on. The party needs to foster a culture of open debate and healthy competition, encouraging a diverse field of candidates with bold, new ideas. They need to move beyond the tired reliance on experience and embrace a vision for the future that resonates with voters.

Failing to do so could result in a catastrophic defeat in 2024, further cementing the Democratic party’s descent into a state of crisis. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but the first step is admitting that a critical turning point has been reached.