Staff Reports
Joe Manchin, that rare bird in the Democratic world who still seems somewhat tethered to reality, has recently suggested that President Joe Biden might want to consider making an exit from the presidential race. It seems even Senator Manchin, who represents the staunchly conservative state of West Virginia, knows when to sound the alarm, and the alarm is blaring for Biden’s campaign. During a recent interview, Manchin expressed the sentiment that it might just be time for Biden to “pass the torch” to a new generation.
This call to action is not merely an exercise in political politeness; it is a stark recognition of Biden’s glaring inadequacies as he faces the prospect of a second term. Manchin made it clear that while he wants Biden to focus on uniting the nation in his last months, the reality is that the president’s capacity to effectively lead a robust campaign—or even continue to govern effectively—has come into serious question. If Manchin believes Biden should step aside, it’s hard to ignore what that implies about the president’s overall fitness for office.
The senator’s statements raise a critical point. If the president lacks the mental and physical energy to campaign, how can Americans trust him to handle the profound challenges of leading the nation? The implications of continued Biden presidency extend beyond mere electoral prospects; they cut to the very heart of national security. Keeping a leader who is perceived to be mentally diminished in a high-stakes role should give everyone pause, regardless of their political leanings.
The Biden campaign’s response to Manchin’s suggestion has been predictably defiant. Campaign officials have doubled down on the assertion that Biden is “in it to win it,” essentially shrugging off any rumors of discontent within his party. With the Democratic National Committee looking more like a circus than a cohesive campaign team, their insistence on Biden’s viability sounds increasingly hollow as voters look longingly at the contrasting vigor of his potential GOP opponents, especially Donald Trump.
On @CNNSotu, @Sen_JoeManchin tells @jaketapper that “I came to the decision with a heavy heart that it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation” and that President Biden should step aside. pic.twitter.com/glujXQ0hJf
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) July 21, 2024
As for who might step in should Biden finally decide that enough is enough, Manchin mentioned a couple of names that have lost their sheen thanks to their own blunders. Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania were mentioned as potential replacements, but the question remains—who among them would bring the kind of strength necessary to rally a party that’s been battered by Biden’s own failures? And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: what of Vice President Kamala Harris? The imminent decision of whether to shake up the ticket should have Democrats sweating bullets, as she doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Manchin’s cautious approach to the political landscape is telling. The clock is ticking down to the inevitable “pass the torch” moment, and Biden’s camp’s refusal to acknowledge the swell of discontent—both within and outside the party—risks fading into an irrelevance that even the most loyal Democrats might not be able to stomach. The drip of defections and reservations continues, leading to an interesting year ahead as the presidential race heats up, and the question becomes whether Biden is able to rally support or if he will just quietly fade away amidst mounting pressure.
