When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We have discussed some of these causes previously. Many Americans will recognize these opening lines from our Declaration of Independence. But how many? Therein lies the problem and a root cause of the degradation of America’s position. Too many are attempting to erase our history in the teaching of our young, and it is not beneficial.
As we approach the 2024 U.S. Presidential election season, the nation is at an historical crossroads. President Biden is 80 years of age, and few Americans relish his second term. A recent Associated Press- NORC Center for Public Affairs poll showed only 37% of Democrats want Biden to run again, while 62% do not. Among Democrats.
Customarily this would be a time when the Vice President would be promoted to the top of the ticket. The Democrats knew this when they circled the wagons around Scranton Joe in 2020. Yet Kamala Harris was chosen publicly for her skin color above all after Joe vowed to pick a woman of color for his Veep. What kind of country uses a racial test for highest office? It’s repugnant, and if there were a consensus among a deeply divided America, it is that Kamala Harris is not a viable choice for President. Though America is unhappy about the direction we are headed, few desire a transition from Biden to Harris. But how can the Party look past its Vice President, especially one of color?
As we look to what lies beyond President Biden’s first term, the nation would seem to have an important choice, near existential. In 2020, the consensus to be rid of Donald Trump was strong enough to elect an alternative for whom there was little enthusiasm. The vote was “not Trump.” We’re past that now and it’s time to decide what the 21st century will bring to our nation. I am willing to project the Republican Party will move past the tumultuous Trump years and choose a new candidate for 2024. President Trump’s act is well worn and not attracting any real enthusiasm even before the capable next generation declares. There are tens of millions who voted twice for Trump and will not do so again, and this will become known to him at some point. Assuming this is the case, what will the Democrats do? Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for them, and her name is Michelle.
The Imperial Presidency is more appealing
President Biden has pioneered an updated version of the Presidency of the United States. He has in effect demonstrated that one can be President of the most powerful country in the world without really working hard, by allowing surrogates to direct from behind. This is a brand-new precedent, pun intended. His immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, seemed to work without a break and in fact was thought to sleep only sporadically. How many hour-long press conferences did he hold to the point of over-exposure? Yet there was no doubt what the President thought and his plan of action. Barack Obama was a hard worker, as was every US President in memory. The job wears you out, turns your hair gray. Joe Biden is trying out a new model of the US President, one who performs public duties mostly, as an aging monarch might.
Supported by the mainstream media, academia, corporate leaders and the intelligence community, President Biden has proven it can be done with minimal muss and fuss. This has not slipped past the notice of the Obamas. Most observers have considered Michelle out of the race due to her enjoyment of the post-Presidency life of luxury and freedom which she now enjoys. Why engage in the mud slinging and trench warfare of a Presidential campaign and term when one’s life is rather idyllic as is? Why indeed? Yet if one were nominated more by acclimation than contest and were assured of soft treatment as President, it might just be enough to bring one off the beach to become the first woman President, and first woman of color on top of that. That is an historic opportunity perhaps too great to ignore, and Biden’s imperial example makes it more palatable.
Though it seems impossible that neither Biden nor Harris is the Democrat nominee in 2024, both would be very hard pressed to win against a capable not-Trump Republican. California Governor Gavin Newsome would be considered by many to be the front runner, right out of central casting as the model progressive. A Newsome- DeSantis race would set up an epic choice for the country- California or Florida, which model would you prefer? We haven’t had as stark a choice in 160 years, and we pray it will not require a shooting war to resolve. The snag is that Newsome suffers from a racial and possible gender issue as a white male, which may be impossible for the Democrats to manage if it’s not Kamala. Voila! Michelle to the rescue.
We’ll find out soon, but the Democrats would be well-served to assume they won’t have the easier task of running against Donald Trump one more time. They are not apt to be so lucky this time. Cue those who would help solve this puzzle.