Democrats showed a certain glee in pointing out that Trump is now the oldest presidential nominee at 78. This desperate leap not only won’t land with voters outside the Democratic bubble, it shows they don’t understand the problem Biden posed for them.
Yes, Trump says weird stuff. But usually, the cause is narcissism or an odd sense of humor. It’s not evidence of cognitive decline.
The number on Biden’s birth certificate was never the problem. It was the clear drop-off in his ability to communicate and, perhaps, think on his feet. Denying this is part of the reason Democra…
They won’t get out of it by trying to convince voters that the candidate who survived an assassin’s bullets and immediately stood to show his resilience is slipping.
- Harris is a brilliant politician, formidable candidate.
Let’s give Democrats partial credit here, or at least an incomplete. It’s impressive how Harris locked down a theoretically open Democratic nomination in fewer than 48 hours, though that might be more about party leaders’ desire to avoid more unpredictable drama than anything else.
But Harris’ electoral history should not inspire confidence. She never faced much serious competition in California as she ascended from local prosecutor to attorney general to the U.S. Senate, where she barely had time for a cup of coffee before Biden chose her as his 2020 running mate.
Her biggest political undertaking, her own race for the Democratic nomination four years ago, was one of the worst on record. She spent a ton of money, burned through staff and ultimately dropped out long before any votes were cast.
That candidate was not likable, and it has carried over to the vice presidency. Her ratings are perhaps worse than Biden’s — and she’s perceived as much further to the left.
Harris gave no indication she was prepared for high office. And as much as Democrats don’t want to acknowledge it, her sex and her race were a factor in Biden picking her. He immediately ruled out any male candidates and showed a strong preference for a Black woman, limiting the field of available options.
We’ll never know, but there’s not much to suggest Harris would have brought enough to the ticket to emerge from a truly open consideration.
In spite of all this, this presidential race is more winnable for Democrats than it was just a few days ago. Trump’s own broad unfavorability and our inherent division and polarization give Harris more than a fighting chance.
But Democrats better learn to make a better case, and fast. They’ve maxed out their anti-Trump arguments and are overselling the Biden years and Harris’ talent.
Rusak writes for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: star-telegram.com.
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