Reality Check

If you're on the political right and we're somehow still friends, this post is not for you. This is for the left side of the new American Divide (and the divisions within that caucus) and I hope it's a conversation we can have without berating each other. 

As the recently released New York Times/Siena poll revealed, we're in mega-crisis mode again and Biden's unpopularity is, at this point in the campaign, likely insurmountable. I haven't posted a political statement in quite some time... and I'm pretty sure few care to read what I'm thinking. But I'm desperate for Democrats to wake up. I appreciate the dogged support many of us continue to have for Biden... and I still appreciate him and many of his policies; however, the polls are issuing a verdict and for some ageist and actual reasons, his 81 years are his downfall. [This despite the rambling, distorted, garbage-fueled twaddle that continues to pour from 77-year-old Trump's puckered maw.] I wish reason dictated some sort of discourse, but "bigger picture" thinking is no longer practiced. So, subsequently, in order to spare the devastation of American democracy, Biden MUST stop running for a second term. Yes, I think he's still capable. Yes, I believe he's a fine president. Yes, he still has fight in him. But NO, he can't win. Kennedy's hurtful, foolish campaign will dent Biden's outcome more than Trump's. Cornel West and Jill Stein, both people I respect, inspire protest votes within the party that will further damage Biden's electability. The Never Trumpers who make up approximately 20% of the Republican vote -- votes that tend to go Haley's way -- will not suddenly throw their support at Biden in the general election. No, they'll vote for a down ballot libertarian or check "Trump '' while holding their noses and hoping for the best. [Oh, imagine if we, as a whole, were as committed to our party as Republicans are to theirs?] I truly believe that if Biden stays in, Trump -- who is a human fluoropolymer -- wins and all hell will break loose. As a country, we are well beyond rallying around the Center. "Common ground" no longer exists. Still, if all the Democratic factions, from far left to Blue Dogs, could commit themselves to a unifying candidate -- like Gretchen Whitmer or Raphael Warnock or Pete Buttigieg or... -- Trump would lose the election. Probably handily. Continuing to support Biden's reelection is support for Trump's return to power. Believe me, MAGA loves us for our Biden votes. 

Now, the Biden campaign will tell me to "Get over it," but that only proves how wrong they are. Many of us are grateful that Biden saved us from four more years of Trump. Some of us like the man despite some serious (and fatal) foreign policies. Some of us love the man as he is! But in this new, bizarre culture of virulent influencers, clarity is cloudy and the obvious is obfuscated. 

Before it is too late, let's make the change.