ARGUING YES
Opinion Columnist at The New York Times
ARGUING NO
Democratic Donor; Co-Founder of Investing in US
MODERATOR
Host and Moderator-in-Chief
This week:
- An urgent question: Should President Biden leave the 2024 election race?
- A closer look at which nominee from each party voters would rather have
- Your Sunday reading list
Election Day is quickly approaching and the Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place next month. But following Biden’s debate performance on June 27th, the party is divided about his candidacy and concerned about his age. As we approach a high-stakes election, should President Biden step aside in favor of another candidate for the Democratic party?
While there had been whispers of questions about his capacity early in the election season, Biden had brushed it off and he continues to say that he is still the best person for the role. Some Democrats who agree with him argue that he is a strong leader with valuable experience that belies his public appearances. They also say that changing the frontrunner this late in the campaign would cause unneeded chaos and give undecided and minority voters more incentive to vote for the other side.
But other Democrats, including some donors, columnists, and a growing chorus of Congressional leaders say it’s clear someone else must take the reins to secure a victory. Some point to current Vice President Kamala Harris as the top option who could re-energize the base and get voters excited.
Trump was just confirmed at the Republican National Convention last week as his party’s nominee, but what will happen at the Democratic National Convention next month? This question is more suspenseful than usual or expected.
Can Biden turn things around with voters or is he no longer fit to be the presumptive Democratic candidate? Who would be the best replacement? All this and more on this week’s episode. Listen to the debate now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. As always, let us know what you think.
Please note: This discussion was recorded on July 11th before the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
DEBATING THE DATA
Would Democrats’ odds be better with an alternative nominee?
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Should Biden Step Aside?
YES: Michelle Goldberg
“The debate wasn’t just a bad night. It was a revelation that our worst fears about Joe Biden weren’t just correct, that it was even worse than we thought. Since then, it seems that everything is pointing in the same direction… There is an electorate out there that is hungry for a new candidate, and that’s what they’ve been telling us all along. When you look at polls all through the primary race, before the primary race, now, people do not want to have to make this decision. They want an alternative.”
NO: Dmitri Mehlhorn
“It’s Joe Biden’s decision. But, unless and until he decides otherwise, this is the same binary choice we had last time… This choice between these two men is the same choice that was made four years ago, [and now] the evidence that Biden can be a good president is more compelling.”
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
What You Didn’t Hear On ‘Economy Night’ At The RNC
Jonathan Cohn | July 16, 2024
HuffPost
Watch Jonathan’s debate on whether we should repeal Obamacare
Why Voters Everywhere Are Fed Up With Incumbents
Ian Bremmer | July 18, 2024
TIME
Watch Ian’s debate on whether China’s power has peaked
Why China Can’t Keep Its Cooking Oil Clean
Minxin Pei | July 17, 2024
Bloomberg
Watch Minxin’s debate on whether China does capitalism better than America
Want To Catch Serial Killers Faster? Listen to Sex Workers.
Kaytlin Bailey | July 18, 2024
Reason
Watch Kaytlin’s debate on whether it’s OK to pay for sex
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