Lifelong Democrat who yet sees things quite differently than you.
Biden should be ahead in the polls and cruising to reelection based on the record of his administration and the awfulness of his opponent. But he is not.
Based on my personal observation, discussion with numerous people across the country and extensive reading, the concern over Bidens age and condition has been there for a while and there was every expectation that the debate would reassure people but unfortunately it did the opposite and amplified those existing concerns. All this finger pointing that it was the media reaction after the debate that is the problem is just nonsense. The media was reporting something that was obvious for all of us to see.
I know many Democrats (especially younger ones) who are lacking in enthusiasm because he just isn't a good messenger. They need inspiring. I also know people in the undecided space who lack enthusiasm to get off the fence. Just repeating how awful Trump is doesnt inspire them. As much as it is important to talk about how a Trump presidency would be a disaster for the USA, the campaign cant be based just voting against Trump. They need inspiring too. I have yet to see that Biden is or can do this.
Putting Harris at the top of the ticket retains some of the incumbency advantage and the fundraising advantage and decisively deals with the youth/energy issue. I was lukewarm on her when Biden picked her four years ago. But I now believe she could crush Trump in a debate.
Its suggested this makes the same mistake as in 2016. The numeric difference between 2016 amd 2020 voting was 3rd party support. Trumps % was about the same both times, but in 2020 3rd parties got less than 2% whereas in 2016 it was about 6%. Right now Biden is making the mistake of 2016 - polls show him loosing states he should win becuase of those saying undecided and third party.
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