So this is the week that President Joe Biden, under fire by everyone since his lame debate performance last month (which I wrote about here), stepped down from his candidacy for a second term as president. This is virtually unprecedented in American history. It was an historic day. He endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, and remarkably, virtually all Democrats have endorsed her too, with no one emerging to challenge her nomination for, now, president; in fact, Biden’s abdication is regarded as a sacrifice for the greater good, putting principle before personal glory.
In contrast are the Republicans, who are undergoing hissy fits, upset that their plans to run against a doddering incumbent have been thwarted. You’d think a contract had been signed or something; some of them are threatening lawsuits to keep Biden on the ticket. And of course they’re engaging in their usual hyperbole and calumny, misogyny and racism. That’s what conservatives do.
Items today:
- Tom Nichols and Robert Reich think this is a good thing, that it illustrates the difference between Democrats and Republicans, that Democrats should unite behind Harris, and maybe Mark Kelly should be VP;
- Reactions, compiled by Slate, Salon, The Atlantic, and others, include accusations of a coup, the usual attacks against Harris, and yet another threat of civil war;
- And even-handed commentary from John Scalzi.
Tom Nichols takes the high road.
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 21 Jul 2024: A Candidate, Not a Cult Leader, subtitled “After Biden’s decision to leave the race, the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans could not be clearer.”
