(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Okay Democratic ABB people (Anyone But Biden) Who is your alternative? [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-11-24 Barring the workings of chance or other factors, it seems the nominees for president for the 2024 election are going to be Donald Trump for the Republican Party, and Joe Biden for the Democratic Party. That’s the way things are going, and we’re just under a year to the election now. I’m not going to comment further about Trump other than to observe that there is a shrinking number of challengers running against him, he’s increasingly deranged with an agenda of horror, and he’s facing multiple criminal trials. Oh, and he’s what, only three years younger? than Biden and in declining health. Biden is one of the most experienced people to ever run for President and be elected to the office. He’s a decent human being who has had to deal with several life-altering tragedies, yet he remains optimistic and forward looking. He’s managed to pass some of the most significant legislation in decades and repair our international relations despite real challenges from abroad and sabotage from the GOP. We’ve had several years to see him in office — we know how he rolls. Republicans have been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at him to try and mire him in scandal, but have failed to gain any traction on that to date. He works at staying in good physical condition and holds his own in interaction with other leaders. But — as the press never tires of reminding us — Biden is old. Republicans would have us believe he’s got one foot in the grave and is being managed like a puppet. They question his mental capacity. (The mainstream media feels duty bound to echo and amplify this.) And frankly, there are those among Democrats who are also concerned about his age, if for more honest reasons. As a theoretical exercise, let’s ask the question: if Democrats are going to argue Biden should not run again, who are the viable Democratic candidates to replace him? For all the people arguing Biden should not run again, I am not hearing any rallying around a particular Democratic alternative or names that keep popping up. (And I’m not going to repeat myself on why an independent/third party candidate would be a bad idea, or the idiocy of protest votes...) If age is a factor, Bernie Sanders should be right out. (Anyone want to set an age limit right now? Be prepared to make a case.) If precedent is to be followed, Kamala Harris should be considered a front runner on the basis that A) she’s already been judged capable of serving as president by virtue of being placed next in the line of succession, and B) she’s been working with Biden and the rest of his team to carry out his policies. She’d be ready from Day One to carry on. The joker in this deck is that we are really talking about two challenges here. One is the ability to serve as president, the second is the ability to campaign in a way that convinces the voters to elect you. You can’t do the first if you can’t get past the second, but doing the second is no guarantee you’ll be able to do the first competently and successfully if elected. (Do I really need to cite the recent proof of this?) Here’s the deal, man: 1) Name the person or persons you think would be a better Democratic candidate for President than than Joe Biden, the person who would be able the run the strongest campaign with the most appeal for voters. How would/should they do it? What kind of messaging do you want to hear/see? 2) Make the case for why that candidate or candidates would be able to serve effectively as President — put together a working administration, advance policies, and pass legislation while also dealing with both domestic and foreign issues and unanticipated events. What should/would be their priorities? How would they deal with the disloyal opposition? Feel free to take as much time as you want to make a case, and try to avoid getting into a pie fight. Keep in mind the vast array of dark money and ratf*cking that will be aimed at any Democratic candidate by the neo-Fascists of the right. Take it as a given that the mainstream media will looking for anything negative to pounce on and run with as a narrative. The horse-race narrative is their default mode; they will be focusing on who can win over who would do a better job. If you don’t have any names in mind, you can still participate by listing what you are looking for in a candidate, and what you think should be their priorities. You don’t have to be an ABB to participate if you want to think about this as a wish-list exercise. Keep in mind that this will be Biden’s last campaign in any case, and the Democratic Party must manifest a cadre of people who can and will be ready to step up as chance and opportunity presents. It’s not too early to be thinking about this. Have at it in comments. I may add updates depending on what names come up and what arguments are made. 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