OP-ED: The question of whether Biden should step down misses the bigger issue
Many pundits and politicians are hyper focused on whether Joe Biden needs to step aside, but they’re missing a critical point: What’s essential to get people out to vote in November to avoid another Trump presidency?
To answer that question, it’s vital to first understand why we are in this position in the first place and how we could have prevented it.
In 2008, Americans across the country voted for a Black man with a foreign name, Barack Hussein Obama, on the Democratic Party ticket. Many likely had never voted for a Black candidate before, much less for President. This was a clear sign that people were so fed up with politics and systems that weren’t working for them that nothing was off the table.
Eight years later–in an almost complete reversal–they voted for a Republican President who initially seemed more of a joke, a showman who leaned into a populist message. The Democratic Party could have chosen its own populist candidate and its own populist message. Instead, it did what it always does, leaning into an “establishment” candidate with stereotypical mainstream message. We lost that gamble, barely won the next election, and now we’re here.
While the Republican Party initially ignored Donald Trump’s candidacy, it ended up embracing him and his message. His populist message is rooted in exclusion and “otherizing” individuals as the way to make America great again. The Democratic populist messengers have been rooted in inclusion and reigning in greed, promoting a “there’s enough for us all” platform. Still, the Democrats too often do everything possible to reject those candidates while taking core constituencies for granted. To our peril, assuming that the “you have to vote against” message will be strong enough to win. This strategy has cost us dearly.
The truth is, the party maintains its own system of privilege, power, and wealth, threatened by messages of equity—the same systems voters have told us they no longer want. Real Democratic ideas of public safety and economics work in places least expected when spoken with the concerns and fears of that community in mind. Yet, we often decide to ignore that too, either not acknowledging their concerns or, worse, adopting Republican-lite messaging, despite learning repeatedly that Republicans are better at their own talking points.
I am stunned by the number of people I’ve heard from in Black and Brown communities I represent who have said they are voting for Trump or not voting at all– which, frankly, is the same thing. At the same time, I understand their anger, rage, and frustration. Yes, it’s likely well past time for President Biden to do what most of us would struggle with: step aside for the betterment of the party, the country, and, without hyperbole, the world.
But more importantly, my party needs to be honest about its own missteps and how we’ve gotten to this point with this candidate. In doing so, we can tell those who are disillusioned and furious that we see them and will take concrete steps to do better. This will allow people like me, who are vocally and equally as furious, to convince more voters that yes, a second Trump term will do irreparable harm to our democracy, and sitting it out will certainly not solve the problem.
At this point, it’s not a gamble we can take.
Jumaane Williams is the New York City Public Advocate.
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