Ezra Klein is the latest NYT commentator calling for an open convention. With Biden’s polling numbers in the dumps, he reasons, what do the Democrats have to lose?
It would be very hard, in addition to being very divisive, for the Democrats to choose someone else. The nominee would have to run a campaign designed by Biden, largely with people chosen by Biden, with money raised for Biden, without any meaningful time for preparation. In addition, there is a very good chance the nominee would be without any experience running a national campaign. How is that going to work?
Nevertheless, over the next few days, I will examine the possible alternatives. The most obvious of these, of course, is Harris. Biden would feel obligated to provide her with an endorsement of sorts. She has been fully vetted and has experience running a national campaign. Ideologically, she would be acceptable to virtually everyone in the party. Finally, her reputation as being a poor campaigner is mostly unmerited; like many of the 2020 Democrats, she had trouble finding room on the spectrum between Biden and Sanders. That would not be an issue running against Trump.
But Harris comes with two huge disadvantages. First, as Biden’s VP, she can credibly be attacked for any perceived shortcomings in his administration. Second, she is Trump’s dream opponent, because she lets the man on golf cart lean into his favorite tactic–identity politics. Black? Check. Female? Check. From California, the land of fruits and nuts? Check. By the end of the campaign, Trump will have half the country convinced that Harris is a Black Panther.
I don’t think America is ready for that yet. What are the other options? I will discuss them in subsequent posts.