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When Joe Biden eventually resigned from the presidential race on July 21st, it was far too late for The Democratic Party to go through the usual procedures to choose a new candidate. Instead, for expediency, it had to be the Vice President who had been Mr Biden's personal pick ahead of the 2020 election.
In spite of achieving her candidacy by default, Kamala Harris came across as capable, articulate, unifying and trustworthy. She fought a good fight. It is a shame that we shall never know how her presidency might have been. She was always going to be associated with the incumbent's record even though she had simply been his loyal lieutenant.
In the eyes of thousands of centre and right of centre white Americans there were three other things that undoubtedly counted against her - she was a Californian woman of colour. Though liberally minded citizens might have been ready for such a president, the traditional centre and centre right were demonstrably not.
Now we have to endure that boorish, spiteful, aging egotist back in The White House with his cartoonish view of the world. What further damage will he cause? And I don't know if you agree with me or not but a big chunk of the blame for what has happened lies with the fellow at the top of this post and possibly the woman below. Witnessing his decline firsthand, did she urge her husband to quit the race months earlier? We may never know.
Jill Biden
No matter what the Bidens did, the people of the US had a choice between somebody honest and decent and a convicted felon with a track record of backwards policy.
ReplyDeleteWhen they live in a fascist state it won't be Jill and Joe's fault
Powerfully expressed. Thank you Kylie.
DeleteI don't disagree with anything you wrote. Misogyny still lives and thrives in the world, especially in the world of politics in the US. I am angry and nauseated today. It is a sad day for americans and a sad day for the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that the MAGA cult is now joyfully dancing in the darkness of their stupidity.
DeleteI am not happy with the result YP but DT is a business man and he knows how to keep the rich happy. A sad day for democracy.
ReplyDeleteMany of the things that Trump has said suggest that democracy in the USA is now seriously under threat.
DeleteI largely agree with your assessment. She was always near the bottom of the pile during the primaries leading up to the 2020 election and thus dropped out fairly early on. I have wondered why her party rushed to confirm her after President Biden dropped out and didn't take that into account but you are most likely right, time limited their options and any in-fighting would have hurt the eventual nominee even more. The only thing I would quibble with is that the centrists or right leaning party aren't ready for a woman of color. The right has had both women and people of color that have done as well as Harris in the primaries. In fact, half of the most recent primary season candidates were people of color, one of who was female. I know a handful of Trumpers in my circle and never once did they mention Harris by gender or color. What mostly was mentioned that she deaf to their pleas for economic or immigration policies. They have the ability to laugh off Trumps comments (something I still can't do) and view him for what they perceive he has previously done for them. I'm not sure I agree with that either but that is what they talk about when I'm around.
ReplyDeleteOne way or another, the days of Trump are now numbered and I for one can't wait to have an election where truth is closer to being true. Only 1461 days to go.
Thank you for these thoughtful reflections Ed. The perception that things were better under Trump between 2016 & 2020 does not take into account the long economic recovery from COVID19 and impactful world issues such as the warfare in Ukraine and The MIddle East.
DeleteNo. You cannot blame Jill Biden. You have to blame an American populace that is racist and misogynist and looks for a leader who is too. They didn't care that he lies, that he cannot speak coherently, that he's a felon, that he does not give one good god damn about any of them. They do not care that he is a RAPIST.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Jesus Christ himself would have won against Trump. My country is as good as gone. Good luck to the rest of the world too.
I'd apologize but hell if I had anything to do with it.
Sorry for all the cursing. I could have done much worse. You can delete this if you want and I will understand.
There's no way I would delete this comment Ms Moon. It is honest and genuine and it explains something of how you feel on this dark day.
DeleteThe private part of my pension up 3.5%. Trump looks after those who have. I'm not pleased with that. I'd rather things be fairer.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid I don't understand your comment Tasker.
DeleteI have pension investments from when I worked in the computer industry. I control it myself. Most is invested in US where the stock market went up 3.57% yesterday.
DeleteI just watched an interview w/Robert Kennedy, who is a complete nut, talking about removing fluoride from the water supply and possible thoughts on banning vaccines. He then segued into a discussion of cutting the FDA. And different Republican senators are gleefully talking about which agency to cut first. The prevailing though seems to be the Dept. of Education. I'm self-employed w/a preexisting condition; will probably lose my health care that I carry b/c Trump wants to get rid of the ACA. The list goes on and on. Our country is a disgrace. And I don't "respect" for one second someone's choice to vote for Trump. I acknowledge it but would never in a million years respect it. And that is the end of my rant. Oh, and for anyone saying Kamala wasn't qualified, dear god. Trump is? I'm sickened.
ReplyDeleteRobert Kennedy come across as deranged. How can he have a place in government?
DeleteI'm with Mary on where the blame lies--squarely at the feet of over half our population. It's a bitter pill to swallow, finding out just how awful so many Americans really are. I'm ashamed of America. And very, very frightened.
ReplyDeleteKamala Harris was closely associated with Biden's term in office and ultimately this contributed quite significantly to her failure.
DeleteThe people that voted for Trump always just wanted to vote for Trump no matter who ran against him. They believe his lies, they want the country in their control, they don't want a woman in the presidency, they are racists, they hate abortion... whatever their reasons...no Democrat would have ever gotten their vote. They don't care about the rule of law, democracy or the Constitution. I was shocked and disappointed and disgusted. He will never be my president.
ReplyDeleteIn the middle ground there were a few million people who might have been swayed to vote for a different Democrat. A Gavin Newsom/ Pete Buttigieg ticket could have won the day.
DeleteThe sad truth is that more Americans chose a lying, rapist, racist, traitor to lead us AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteYou must feel that the aliens have already arrived to take over the world.
DeleteI think it's bigger than Biden. The democrats had many thing that were not organized. They really didn't have an identity for themselves so the other guys identified them in a negative way.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right Red. The Democrats need to redefine themselves.
DeleteIt is a sad day in America.
ReplyDeleteHere, cry into my linen handkerchief Bruce.
DeleteI am not a fan of Trump by any means, but in both 2016 and 2024 he appears to have tapped into a vein of feelings in substantial parts of the US that should have been classic Democrat territory that they had been abandoned. In that respect I see it as similar to Boris Johnson winning "red wall" seats in the UK in 2019 - regions that were Labour heartlands but felt abandoned by their historic party.
ReplyDeleteI entirely agree with your analogy Will.
DeleteHate won the day and we will all suffer for a good long time.
ReplyDeleteWhat will America look like in four years time? Will that demented, belligerent old man really have immigrants rounded up and sent "home"?
DeleteBut apart from the Native Americans, ALL of America is immigrant based. Even the white people came from other countries originally. England, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands. Italy even. Is he going to discover his roots and send himself home?
DeleteMaybe Mrs Biden did push him much earlier to resign, and maybe not. But even if she didn't, I don't think it is fair to lay any blame on her. Biden's colleagues should have made the call much earlier. As for the result? I don't care how bad the Democrat candidate was. How could anyone vote for the criminal sleaze bag, #45/47.
ReplyDeleteShe knows Joe Biden better than he knows himself and has more influence over him than anyone else. Maybe she found it easier to shrug and suggest, "Joe knows best. He must be allowed to choose his moment".
DeleteI don't know what to say, I am so disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI have felt very downhearted since I heard the news.
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ReplyDeleteMy sympathy is for all those who didn't vote for this appalling man. He is unstable enough to declare himself a life-long President and turn the country into a dictatorship. With him at the head, the US will become a laughing stock on the world stage.
He is ignorant. I doubt that he ever reads anything.
DeleteIt was interesting reading through all of the comments. I don't blame Jill Biden nor do I blame President Biden. I have no idea what when on behind the scenes. What I do feel is that Harris was a viable candidate and she handled herself with poise and strength. I blame over half of my country for bubbling that oval in when they voted. How can anyone with a conscience turn a blind eye to all of his misdeeds? I am beyond upset when it comes to all of this. I was certain that she'd win, and I was certain that she'd help heal the divisions in our country. Now I am afraid that they'll get worse. Though I am not an official member of the Democratic Party, I have voted that way most of my life. I never thought ill of Republicans though. To me, it was just another way of looking at things and everyone had a right to their opinions. Now when I see Trump signs in yards, I seethe. I really wanted her to win because in my opinion she symbolizes our multi-racial and multi-ethnic society. Okay, enough said. No more words, just sadness.
ReplyDeleteThe size of the victory was unexpected. How come those pollsters were so wrong? I have felt pretty down since I saw the first results coming through.
DeleteThe election result completely floored me and I feel really annoyed, upset and devastated. It's a sad day for America and for the world as I have a feeling world politics will now change on a pinhead now he is in charge. The other day I heard that we were at the foothills of a third world war. It now seems possible that over the next four years we will be higher up those hills and on the way to that war. We have a very bumpy road ahead as regards world peace and economics.
ReplyDeleteAnother four years of Trump - it's like a new COVID pandemic. Save Our Souls.
DeleteI have nothing to say, just feel incredibly sad.
ReplyDeleteThat is my overwhelming feeling this week Thelma.
DeleteAs the estimable Bernie Sanders said, the Democrats have abandoned the working class, so it not surprising that the working classes decided not to vote Democrat. Describing anyone who voted Republican as "garbage" is insulting to those Americans who are rightly concerned about the cost of living, inflation and Kamala Harris's failure to stop illegal immigration across the southern border.
ReplyDeleteYou are surely right Debbie. The US Democrats have some soul-searching to do if they are to win in 2028 and reclaim the nation.
DeleteIn Sweden the news lately have been full of the American election as well. I too was hoping for a different outcome - but at least this time the candidate who lost did not go crazy but was able to handle that situation with dignity, and respect for the result of the election. Hopefully that attitude is what will win in the long run after all.
ReplyDeleteBiden and Harris have shown graciousness and dignity - notions that do not figure in Trump's playbook.
DeleteI do think Biden complicated this process by not bowing out sooner. It might have given Kamala more time to find her footing as a candidate and more time for voters to get to know her. I think even if there had been a proper primary, though, it would have been hard for the party to snub the vice president. In all likelihood I think she would have gotten the nomination anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about him giving Ms Harris more precious time to promote herself in a less frenzied manner but in some respects, her presence on the ticket was accidental and not really democratic.
DeleteIt might have been better if he had won the last election, then his time would be coming to an end. I can't trust any of the pundits - they all got it so terribly wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling is that the orange one will not last but I can't see him being overthrown, unfortunately.