I am a lifelong Democrat and was honored to represent Colorado in the U.S. House for 12 years. Perhaps along the way I have gained some understanding of government and of politics.
My ballot in the upcoming Democratic presidential primary is precious. I have cast my vote for “uncommitted.” It is the ballot option that could lead to an open convention, where Democrats can pick a ticket that could more assuredly save the nation from the disaster of a second Trump administration.
Other Colorado Democrats (and, with Colorado’s open primary, concerned unaffiliated voters) may wish to express their reluctant misgivings in the same way, as might Washington leaders who have the president’s ear.
Let me explain how I have come to this difficult decision.
I am deeply grateful for the enormous contributions President Joe Biden has made to restoring the American government. He has accomplished a great deal. The Inflation Reduction Act (and its limits on drug costs), the CHIPS & Science Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act have worked together with other Biden initiatives to strengthen the economy, bolster manufacturing, boost employment, attack global warming, restore international security and keep America safe. That’s just a partial review of Biden’s record of good government.
Political perceptions may be unfair, but they are real, and often have more impact on elections than a reasoned, factual recounting of achievements. We now face one of those “often” times.
Serious questions threaten the president’s political standing, voters’ perception of him, and so prospects for his re-election.
Inflation is improving but still too high. There’s plenty of blame to go around, starting with the fiscal flagrancy of former President Donald Trump and his GOP Congress in 2017-18. Yet, Biden is saddled with the responsibility and political baggage. He inherited much of the mess at the border, but now has to shoulder most of the blame — even as Trump and the Republicans in Congress walked away from the bipartisan legislation designed to solve the problem, cynically choosing to keep the issue alive for political advantage.
If politics and campaigns were rational matters, Biden should be in great shape. But he isn’t. Polls in most of the half-dozen states key to an electoral college majority now have him consistently trailing Trump.
The recent release of the report of Special Counsel Robert Hur underscores the problem. The operative part of the report found no reason to charge Biden with any offense for his mishandling of classified documents. The gratuitous part of the report painted an inflammatory picture of Biden’s short-comings as an old man. It played to the narrative that the president is too old for another term.
I believe that characterization is as unfair as it is inaccurate. It is hard to admit, but politically, that doesn’t matter. It will haunt the Biden campaign. Meanwhile, we are so inured to Trump’s lies, irresponsibility and criminality that he seems to pay no price. And for me, loving Biden must yield to defeating Trump.
If President Biden is the Democratic nominee, I will proudly vote for him. Regretfully, I do not think he should be our nominee. He should face the political realities. He should step aside, as Lyndon Johnson did in March 1968, and open the race to the several worthy Democrats who then would run.
In that way, he can preserve the splendid legacy he has earned, and avoid the embarrassment he doesn’t deserve.
David Skaggs represented Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District from 1987 to 1999. He lives in Longmont.
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