What is more risky?

[ecstatic]

Is it more risky for President Biden to stay in the race or for him to leave the race (before the convention)?

35 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Biden staying in the race
	5 (14%)
	Biden leaving the race (before the convention)
	22 (63%)
	Both scenarios are very risky
	7 (20%)
	Neither scenario is risky
	0 (0%)
	Other
	1 (3%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[marble falls]

1. Stupid polls like this. Joe Biden all the way.

[TheKentuckian]

2. Today another candidate is more risky but the situation is fluid and we don't have all the information

There is a point where Biden is no longer viable though and if we get there slim is better than none.

He won't hold up to many more "cold"/"One bad debate" and cannot battle Chump exclusively in front of a teleprompter either nor can surrogates effectively just replace the actual candidate.

It doesn't track that Biden is irreplaceable and yet that he has no necessary and significant role in his own campaign and everyone else can get it done for him.

[ecstatic]

4. "the situation is fluid"

100% correct. We all will have to be flexible and keep an open mind, I think.

BOTH scenarios are risky at this point. In my humble opinion.

[Frasier Balzov]

3. The convention can be a testimonial and gold watch pageant.

Leave Chicago with the fitness issue fully addressed and rendered moot.

Resolved in favor of four-more-years of a Democratic presidency with a fresh face.

It's an opportunity to turn the game board over and force Trump and his minions scrambling to run on their own attractiveness.

I wouldn't want to be in their shoes after the boldness of such a move!

[Grammy23]

5. Maybe keep it all under their hats.

Then have the big reveal at the convention. Huge audience. Catch trump off guard. Maybe. But whoever it is better be a combination of Jesus Christ, The Incredible Hulk and Einstein. Add some TaylorSwift charisma for the younger generation. Somebody really impressive and that the people will rally to. Leave trump in the dust. Win in a landslide. 🎉🎉🎉🥂🍾🥂🍾

P.S. Give Joe the send off to beat all send offs. Hats, horns and cheers.

[Frasier Balzov]

7. Let it be someone who nobody has had on their short list.

Someone who will leave the opposition researchers bereft of any baggage.

I don't mind if voters ask "Who?" when they first hear the name.

The Never Trump and Double Haters will thank us for putting this alternative forward in the nick of time.

[ecstatic]

9. For logistical reasons, it could only be Harris and Bashear or some combo like that

but hell, that's risky AF too. Racism and sexism would have to be overcome.

[LeftInTX]

6. The convention will be a shit show of infighting if he withdraws.

Last edited Tue Jul 2, 2024, 08:29 PM - Edit history (2)

We could have 20 candidates. (We likely will)

Just imagine the lineup-....No fundraising, no primary election. Free publicity.

"Here's your chance! ANYONE can run for president!!!"

Anyone can run!!! No filing fees are needed!!

This will attract everyone and their dog to run for POTUS.

Marianne, Andrew Yang, Dean Phillips, every perennial candidate imaginable will be there. Their speeches will last forever.

Then you will have all the infighting:
Kamala is next in line.
I want Gavin.
It's Bernie's turn.
I want Lloyd Doggett.
I want Gretchen.
I like that Kentucky governor...what's his name?
We can now draft RFK Jr as a Democrat!!!
Let's have a real progressive this time.
Let's have electability.
Can you define electability?
We need to run a Palestinian.
We need to nominate the first gay president.
I think we need to go with trans.
You forgot about a Latino president, let's nominate Castro.
No we need Henry Cisneros, the other HUD Director because failed HUD Director is the best stepladder to the presidency.
It's time for a Jewish president!
But what kind of Jew? Bernie Sanders or Chuck Schumer?
How about Colonel Sanders?
So and so isn't a real Democrat.
So and so is a colonialist.
We need a purity test.
I'm so sick of purity tests.
Oh my gosh, the youth vote! We need to run someone who is only 35.
Seniors are the ones who vote. We gotta pander to the seniors.
The veterans. Don't forget about the veterans
Is "uncommitted" in the room? Who voted "uncommitted"?

On and on it will go.

[FakeNoose]

8. Please stop

"Biden stepping down" and "Biden pulling out of the race" are rightwing talking points.

When you do this, you are playing their game. Why?

If you want to do a poll, then ask this question:
"In 2020 when it was obvious that Chump was going to lose, why didn't the GOP ask him to pull out?"

[ecstatic]

10. Unfortunately, my life is on the line this November

and you're asking for me to be silent in the face of almost certain death if trump gets back in. If trump doesn't kill me, my trump-induced high blood pressure will.

I'm sorry, but I can't do that.

Plouffe shook me out of my bubble last night: we are losing. Look at the polls.

And then when I talk to the people who we really need to vote this fall, they don't want to vote for Biden. No matter how many warnings etc. They think he's old and unfit. Even my old ass parents say it. And I'm not talking about white trumpers either. These people were part of the coalition in 2020 to get trump out.

There are things Biden can do and say to silence the critics. It would involve multiple unscripted pressers and townhalls; listening to suggestions regarding camera placement, optics, hair, and yes even makeup. Is he open to any of that? Until then, it's ok for us to fully understand the options and risks that come with each option.

Where is the evidence that we're on the safer path right now? We're in uncharted waters. We talk about how disastrous it was for Democrats to have an open convention decades ago, but our party has never attempted something like this before either. Repubs did it with Reagan, but our side does not fall in line as easily. And I'm not suggesting there's any comparison between the 2--I personally am confident in Biden's abilities, but the general public is not.

[LeftInTX]

11. Trying to put someone in at the last minute is not a winning strategy.

It's destined to lose. It should only be done as a last resort. The only reason to do it is to protect down ballot races.