Member-only story
The democratic party failed grandly.
I suppose we like doing things in big ways. True to form, we failed big.
Our leaders failed us. Our experts. They all failed. And, individually, we failed, too.
And yet the signs were there, all quite clear to see provided a little effort was put into it.
Just a little thought. Not too much.
But the effort was not made.
We lulled ourselves with, ‘Surely Americans won’t vote to reelect someone who tried to openly interfere with the electoral ballot count in 2021. Of course not. Or vote for someone who’s been convicted of a felony. No, for sure not. Or for a party that overturned the right to have an abortion. Absolutely not.’
The effort not made was the one needed to enlighten and persuade. The effort to hear from the folks, far away from the White House, as to what was troubling them.
Biden had got too old to do it himself. But he could have deputized Harris to do so in his place.
He didn’t.
It could’ve come from Harris, too. She could’ve said, ‘Joe, I know you’ve had some mobility problems — afraid you’ll trip — so, since you’re so busy tending to the many issues facing the nation, why not let me go out there and mix it up with the folks, see what’s bugging them, and I’ll report back to you.’
But Biden, being extra careful, hesitated.
Harris should’ve then pressed further. ‘See, Joe, I’m worried that Trump’s been beating that immigration drum all this time, and I’m afraid…
