In the wake of the Hur Report's release, the Democratic Party is grappling with the increasingly evident reality that President Joe Biden's faltering campaign may be beyond salvage.
As I noted earlier this week, even Nate Silver, a renowned statistician and writer, has suggested that the embattled President should "stand down" if he is unable to conduct a "normal campaign." Silver cited Biden's refusal to participate in a Super Bowl interview, a decision he has made two years consecutively, as an example of his departure from conventional campaigning.
The President's cognitive abilities and his campaign, which is in disarray, are both in a state of rapid decline.
However, according to a report from CNN, Vice President Kamala Harris, a figure with an impeccable reputation, has reportedly stepped in to take the reins of the struggling campaign. The report, which cites "two dozen sources," claims that Harris has been gathering information to help her understand the mindset of the Biden campaign, with the intention of using this knowledge to advocate for changes in strategy and tactics that she believes will improve the campaign's chances of success.
Several prominent Democrats, concerned about a campaign they fear may be irretrievably faltering, have expressed that their discussions with Harris have been a refreshing change. They felt ignored by the White House and Biden's campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, for months.
A participant in one of these meetings described the prevailing sense of anxiety among top Democrats, stating, The West Wing and the campaign need to be better. The source also praised Harris for her handling of these concerns, stating that she "deserves credit for it."
It is evident that both Harris and CNN are aware of Biden's precarious position. As such, CNN appears to be making an effort to bolster Harris's image, presenting her as the logical successor should Biden be removed from the top spot.
CNN's report also suggests that these discussions have altered perceptions of the Vice President, with many now viewing her as a crucial and complementary component of the re-election effort. The report then provides several examples of Harris's recent displays of leadership.
Harris's increased involvement comes at a critical juncture. Her office has largely recovered from its early years of intense dysfunction, and she has been gradually asserting herself more confidently in public. This includes her speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, which aimed to reassure Europeans concerned about a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
However, Republicans have been exploiting her low approval ratings and Biden's advanced age to frame the 2024 campaign as a referendum on Harris and the possibility of her becoming President, particularly as questions about Biden's mental fitness continue to overshadow his candidacy.
Despite these challenges, Harris has made strides in her role. Levar Stoney, the mayor of Richmond, Virginia, who attended a meeting of several dozen black men in politics and finance at the Naval Observatory in January, praised Harris, saying, "Folks like seeing the Vice President not just playing the role of cheerleader and promoter of the ticket but having deep conversations about how we message and how we win."
However, it is important to remember that actions speak louder than words. Despite Harris's efforts, the fact remains that when a presidential campaign reaches such a low point that the best hope for its recovery is the Vice President, it may be time to consider retirement.
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