Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden

Biden is faltering and Democrats have no plan B. There is another path to winning in 2024 - and I think they should take it. But it would require them to embrace an old-fashioned approach to winning a campaign.
Mentioned:
The Lincoln Miracle (groveatlantic.com/book/the-li...) by Edward Achorn
If you have a question for the AMA, you can call 212-556-7300 and leave a voice message or email [e-mail] (mailto:[e-mail]) with the subject line, “2024 AMA."
You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-....
This audio essay for “The Ezra Klein Show” was fact-checked by Michelle Harris. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

[@lbr88x30]

Kamala Harris is not the solution

[@docmartin4989]

And Ezra didn’t say she was

[@richarddietzen3137]

But she has a voice that is either droning or like nails on a blackboard. She is no shoe in.

[@TheLucanicLord]

@@richarddietzen3137 And nobody said she was. Are you a bot?

[@WackadoodleMalarkey]

Indeed, Kamala Harris is the vice president 🗽

[@kreek22]

She does a great job confusing America's enemies. Imagine the Kremlin trying to analyze her special word salad concoctions!

[@plate2975]

5% of Americans over 80 work, a number which only decreasea over time as this group dies or succumbs to physical and cognitive decline. None of us can predict the future, but if 95% of his peers aren't working, how can a man at 82 years old on inauguration day 2025, 86 years old at the end of a second term, realistically fulfill the obligations of an executive. Aging in reverse, sadly for Biden, is not an option. Continued decline, however, is an inevitability. Rather than dwelling on the shortcomings of a campaign, let's focus on the current reality. The man is on borrowed time, among a generation of men who more often than not do not even live to reach his current age, much less work full-time, much less in the most powerful position in the world. To expect Biden to not only live, but excel at a position which exacts a disproportionate toll on the human body, is downright delusional. This isn't ageism, its realism. His insistence upon running is no longer about the country, as it could easily have been portrayed in 2016, rather its hubris borne from a political feud that has become deeply personal (Biden himself has declared that he "wouldn't be running" if Trump weren't). Thank you for another thoughtful political take, Ezra Klein show

[@kreek22]

He is not and has not been, functionally, the President. He is a figurehead. He can continuing heading the treasonous figure of the Democrat Party. They deserve a clown like him.

[@carolynharrison6987]

Are you asking him to run a triathlon or lead the country. Biden has wisdom and leadership skills for which we all need to be thankful. All of the folks mentioned to replace him have only the age as an advantage. Biden as a leader knows how to utilize the skills and talent of those around him. He knows it's not a 1 person show. 2028 is closer than you think.

[@kreek22]

@@carolynharrison6987 People with dementia do not possess wisdom, only decay and incoherence.

[@sheilalopez3983]

Let's hear what you think when you're living under KGB-Putin because nazi-trump is going to hand America to KGB-Putin on a platter. I, myself, prefer democracy and the ability to think for myself.

[@theboyisnotright6312]

If Biden wants my vote he needs to appoint RFK Jr his vice president. I don't mind Biden to much. But the grim reaper is standing behind him. We need seriously rein in the corporate money in politics and how this country does what's good for billionaires, and workers are getting mighty sick of getting crumbs. I'm scared of what is happening to my country 😢

[@YouSnoozeYouNooze]

Fearmongering around turmp is not enough to get Biden over the finish line

[@onedroprule]

How is Trump going to do better than the last election when he lost by 7 million votes? 🤔

[@kreek22]

Another unfair election will suffice.

[@elless4817]

Over the finish line where he drops dead and Kamala steps in. YIKES!

[@AndyAnaya]

when Biden gets over the finish line, will you adjust your worldview?

[@supremetrain]

that is why voting for RFK is the remedy to the divide in this country and returning the power back to the people of the great nation #Kennedy24

[@jimsonnenberg1221]

Norm MacDonald’s Weekend Update joke on Reagan’s dementia shortly after leaving office: “Former first lady Nancy Reagan reports that her husband has been relaxing at their ranch, riding horses and chopping wood. Sadly, eyewitnesses report he was actually riding wood and chopping horses.”

[@sigmund1955]

The similarities with Ruth Bader Ginsburg are disturbing.

[@jackcross5446]

Hehe

[@einnAnnie]

Except Ginsburg's mind was sharp til the end.

[@maplebones]

@@einnAnnie Not sharp enough, obviously.

[@maplebones]

There's no fool like an old fool.

[@jonofpdx]

​@maplebones I HATE this. But you're not wrong. The hardest thing to see clearly are your own limits.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

I don't buy his weak "I deserve to finish the job I started" argument, nobody deserves the Oval Office, he needs a better argument than that ... his ego won't let him walk off the stage - either at the end of a press conference or at the end of his first term, the former gets him in trouble, the latter gets the nation in trouble

[@Wyonative08]

His ego has NOTHING to do with being confused after speaking at the podium! Wtf is wrong with YOU? If he were to lose the 2024 election his morality would allow him to cecede to whoever his opponent is! Something DJ6T's pride didn't allow him to do in 2020 nor will he do that in 2024 if he's allowed to continue to run. 😮❤😂

[@gunztommiegunz]

@@Wyonative08you can’t make this stuff up. Why do you advocate for evil? Trump was already your president, you just can’t control your feelings….😢 how do the population watch mainstream media and believe everything they say knowing full well that they told you they are going to destroy the country. They are paid for by the White House but here you are trusting the wolves in sheep clothing….What do you think progressive policies are??? Look at democrat cities, they are all burning down currently but people STILL ADVOCATING FOR EVIL?? People who already attempted to unalive you??? Are you feeling ok? Are you sober?? 😢😢😢❤

[@gunztommiegunz]

@@Wyonative08also, educate yourself on J6, the government, the democrats started a riot and it’s on video. Many KZbin streamers have done several part episodes on it. I implore you to educate yourself ignoring mainstream media. If you only follow mainstream media, you will have an absolute warped sense of reality and have no idea what the hell is going on. Biden was never in anybody he was never somebody big Trump was huge you would see the things you would be able to make sense of it if you’re intelligent it’s not that hard but when you see campaigning for president and there’s maybe 2550 people at his campaign maximum and then you see trumps and then you see that Biden one and then you know that Democrats have been paid by Klaus Schwab and George Soros to burn the country down. You can kind of put two and two Together. You just have to be intelligent and you have to be educated and I can’t get you there. I spent my whole life doing it for me I’m a 40-year-old working man. Trust me, Joe Biden’s a clown and he’s destroying our country vote for Trump you’ll have more money, a better life and your kids will have a better life.

[@patriciaepperson2955]

I can guarantee Biden is not confused

[@user-ub6zn9yw8i]

Yes. His ego is way out of proportion to his abilities. Spots haeeverywhere he goes, every time. I say no to Joe.

[@8brightside8]

"There's a ton of talent in the party right now." Please step aside, President Biden!

[@indranidasgupta8982]

Not. Gonna. Happen. Face it. We’re stuck with these two old guys. Pick the least damaging to the world, the country, the office. I think y’all know which one that is.

[@camelopardalis84]

Most of that is "least damaging to the office" and the rest is "least damaging to the US". The world will suffer under both.

[@esausjudeannephew6317]

The New York times has really dropped in quality and objectivity

[@seanstoddard6655]

Plus this guy is dumber than dirt

[@kiabtoomlauj6249]

Why do you keep saying these nonsense? Have you just arrived from Andromedia and had not read anything or heard any thing... other than perhaps some Fox News or NewsMax piece? The New York Times is an INSTITUTION that HARDLY ever goes straight up or down in quality or objectivity. It is a very well connected, well funded, well researched LIBERAL leaning institution (like MOST of the world's most competitive research institutions and teaching schools) that hires a variety of trench journalists, opinion writers, video/pop culture opinion personalities, liberal and conservative editors, etc. ONE LIBERAL or ONE CONSERVATIVE doing a piece or a video on X, Y, or Z topic or individual or event.... IS NOT ENOUGH to drop the NY Times quality of objectivity. But if your BS is that it really "has dropped in quality and objectivity," then you MUST put that observation in a meaningful CONTEXT: doing a long piece of writing or video on how much better it was, in and of itself, 10 or 30 or 80 years ago.... or how MUCH BETTER another newspaper is. Tell us the METRICS you are measuring these "quality" and "objectivity" points on. Don't just say mindless BS like "that's WOKE." WTF does that mean? I've lived in the US for 45 years; I don't have any clue as to what "woke" mean; and I am more than sure ZERO of its user knows what such an idiotic work means, either... beyond a-5-second-3rd-grade, emoji seeking blurt.

[@MetteyyaBrahmana]

Not on this story....they are SPOT ON! Biden is showing us that he is not up for four more years. Newsom-Shapiro (Gov of PA) would blow Trump out of the water in November! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWqtm3RvrK5pbtU

[@larrym2434]

what is your objection to this podcast?

[@msvergara]

think you have dropped in sense of objectivity...Biden will lose!!!

[@user-cz5pf8pu9s]

I, like many other Americans, think that Biden is too old for the job at this point and is very unlikely to survive another 4.5 years in office I understand him not stepping aside a year ago and being a lame duck but I think he should now so a younger candidate can carry on the battle.

[@michaellowenthal3203]

Same with Trump

[@ggusta1]

Not too old. He's got severe dementia and he's a marionette. No one knows who actually is running the country

[@marybrown7203]

I prefer a President who is good at the job, over the one who is good at running for a job he knows nothing about.

[@coachking5208]

It's not age. He is sick.

[@amandamcgovern5744]

@@michaellowenthal3203no- not “same with Trump.” I despise Trump but can we have a shred of intellectual honesty in this party? For even a millisecond.. I can’t take the head burying anymore. Trump is not senile like Biden is. And we look completely pathetic when the only thing we ever say is “but Trump too”… That (obviously- look at the polls) isn’t working anymore. And in this case it’s not even true. He’s an evil dictator with a nefarious plot to take the country AND senile and demented? Pick one. 🤦‍♀️

[@einnAnnie]

"Pandemic savings" 🙄

[@beverlycarkhuff4380]

LOL thats the funniest joke ive heard in a long time 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wry6read]

This could be a good way to get our heads out of our arses. Democratic party *needs* a bit of constructive thinking.

[@monkeysezbegood]

the need to be honest and fight against their own. Be a party of actual democracy.... the abused Sanders and now RFK Jr. They deserve to loose.

[@blossom9565]

The Democratic Party could use some communists in its ranks.

[@KleWdSide]

He's the incumbent w/ the record to tout, so I'm afraid not.

[@tomrees4812]

Yeah, right. The NYT really has your best interests at heart.

[@oscarlamonte3148]

😂😂😂😂IS THIS COMEDY!!!🍒🍆😂😂

[@BrettCoryell]

'... they need a candidate, democrats need a candidate...' No. America itself, as a concept and a symbol, needs a candidate. A real and viable choice who will preserve, protect, defend, and extend the best parts of us into the future. Without that candidate, we wont have that future. Neither Trump nor Biden fit the bill. Damn the politicians of both parties for giving us these two choices.

[@jordanaz]

There are other choices. RFK Jr, or Vermin Supreme.

[@kreek22]

Another delusionist who thinks there is such a thing as the political center.

[@TimeLord675]

@@jordanaz Vermin Supreme is a joke (in a good way, but not really Presidential material) and RFK Jr is a dumbass who brings shame to the Kennedy name.

[@supremetrain]

RFK is easily the obvious candidate you are speaking of and will actual unite the people instead of having them remain divided among party lines #Kennedy24

[@gunztommiegunz]

No RFK wants to disarm the country. Bidens a moron. Trump, no wars, low cost on food and groceries, strong military, no Ukraine invasion. Please ignore mainstream media bias as they are paid by the same people they are glorifying. I implore you to checkout history, Trump was a fantastic president and he’s America and we the people first

[@gloriahoyle3949]

I have listened to RFC. What I do not like about him is he's a kind of a conservative Democrat who wants to bring religion into the White House. The other issue I have with him is his stance on covid vaccines. He also stated he would do an executive order across the board for illegal abortion for the US. Many of his family members do not support his beliefs and policies.

[@e-spy]

I dunno, maybe because he has mental illness?

[@magpiegirl3783]

His stand on Ukraine is appalling. I've listened to some of his interviews talking about Putin and cannot believe the level of ignorance coming out of his mouth, happy to parrot Russian propaganda. This is not a person I would want to see representing the US on the world stage.

[@mfenaughty]

Do you mean RFK Jr? (Robert Francis Kennedy Jr)

[@antmass3]

He also wants to do away with the FBI, FDA, and Department of Education, to name a few.

[@James-ll3jb]

​@@magpiegirl3783The Russians are ok. America is a decadent hellhole.

[@octobrain23232]

Yes, let's just resign and install Trump as our God Emperor. Brilliant!!!!!!!

[@SenorJuan2023]

Biden doesn't get the credit he deserves. Trump gets credit he doesn't deserve. UGGH

[@bernardzsikla5640]

I'm a Reagan republican that voted for Biden and would never ever vote for Trump. I will vote again for Biden but not because I want to, because I have to. This is the position that many Americans find themselves in. It doesn't feel good.

[@MonkeyMind69]

*_Because you have to?!_* I personally have no love of Trump, but please tell me why voting in Biden, a Koo-clucks-clan clan affiliated _(he did Robert Byrd's eulogy),_ Lying _(caught in countless lies...yes, just like trump, but were you expecting something different from a politician?),_ ped0 tendencies _(caught telling a 11yr old girl she is "s3xy" on video),_ geriatric _(constantly falling down),_ Dementia _(can't remember his lines and tries to shake hands with people who aren't there which means he's not even really running this country... instead unelected bureaucrats behind the scenes are),_ with two very messed up kids _(daughters been to rehab and son hunter doing hard drugs and pr0stltutes caught on video)_ both who are a reflection upon how poorly he managed his own family... Tell me how this is a better choice for America? As an American... I'm NOT in a position where I feel I must vote in Biden, the greater of two evils ...or any evil for that matter. It sounds to me you've "drank the Kool-ade" while sitting in an anti-trump echo-chamber. I would suggest doing a deep dive into propaganda and indoctrination techniques, then take a closer look at your psychology and how you've come to arrive at your current beliefs.

[@supremetrain]

you don't have to go listen to just one long form podcast or speech from RFK and tell me you actually with good conscious can vote for anyone else besides RFK

[@davidhlnda]

That's interesting bc neither does it feel good for those of us to his left

[@brandonyankowski4319]

Talk about a stretch

[@dv5659]

Biden winning the election is a stretch too. If we don’t want trump elected then we have to start thinking outside the box a little bit at this point.

[@SkyBlueOffRoad]

Worst politician ever. Rancid person.

[@jamesbunch8932]

So, who's going to acknowledge that this was a fair concern 4 years ago, and not just an attack on people with speech impediments?

[@Koip2022]

Imagine if the party selected AOC or Kamala to replace Biden 😂😂😂

[@docjanos]

The Convention would not select anyone off center and even if they did it is not likely that they would do worse than Biden.

[@birdiegirl1622]

Harris didn’t go as far as Gabbard in the primary

[@magpiegirl3783]

@@birdiegirl1622 And managed to become the presidential running mate ... how does that happen? Corrupt internal shenanigans and look what the American people got. She's an utter embarrasment.

[@theboyisnotright6312]

I have no problem with AOC. She is thoughtful and intelligent. 😊

[@jonofpdx]

​@theboyisnotright6312 she's unelectable. Not popular enough across the party too goose party turn out much and too divisive a figure to bring moderate Republicans on side. At that point just go with Warren. Just as left but better track record and more likely to speak to middle income independents and anti-Trump conservative academics. Especially if they emphasize her earlier work on the Two Income Trap.

[@terrikrucina2023]

I listened as long as I could stand it.

[@dv5659]

What couldn’t you stand?

[@KenKasischke]

It’s true, Biden needs to step down for the good of the country and the world

[@makeadifference4all]

Biden is doing well as President. You can argue he should not run for reelection, but there is no reason for him to resign the presidency.

[@regbhyyu]

So trump can win??

[@kreek22]

@@makeadifference4all He is a traitor and deserves a tribunal to demonstrate this fact.

[@gunztommiegunz]

@@makeadifference4all😂😂😂😂you can’t make this stuff up 😂😂😂😂😂😂 puppet absolute clowns

[@gunztommiegunz]

@@regbhyyuTrump is already won!!! He won last time!!!😂😂😂😂

[@sharajitganguly5450]

Kamala Harris later followed up with the following: "We are looking forward to the future of the future which is a long way off in the distance, especially compared to the past that is behind us, and even the present where we are currently, and other people are as well, while not forgetting that if we see things as they could be, even if we hadn't thought about seeing them in the past, or even in the present, doesn't mean that we can't, with our own eyes, see or at least sketch them out on a Venn diagram so that we create a pathway to follow from the present to the future."

[@maxzorin5961]

21:49 “…the most exciting political show on earth…” Can’t we just be normal? Why does everything have to be exciting?

[@jonofpdx]

Polarization. Elections are turn out games now and excitement leads to engagement leads to mobilization. Wish we would go back to the days of reasonable and nuanced debate for a median voter bubble haven't been there for 2 decades.

[@jamesgriffin2418]

Totally agree

[@CeanStrauss]

Did the judge allow the videos to be admissible in court, unedited?

[@kidkratoski3778]

FJB

[@JH-zr8lo]

The Ruth Bader Ginsburg comparison was very appropriate, Biden would not be seen in a lesser, but a more gracious and heroic light than if he trudged uphill angrily. I agree, the move would inject excitement for Dems. The same as Nancy Pelosi stepping aside to allow a strong and future forward leader in Hakem Jefferies.

[@kreek22]

Hakeem is our third world dream.

[@rachaelik]

Hakeem is a more pleasant Rahm Emanuel. That's a bad thing.

[@sonnypruitt6639]

"future forward leader in Hakeem Jefferies." You mean the Congressmen who looks and sounds like Stepin Fetchit!!!

[@gunztommiegunz]

@@rachaelik ram Emmanuel is an idiot I live in Illinois. I can tell you all about it.

[@supremetrain]

RFK is a Leader of a Nation and not just a leader of a political party that would have you believe you have no choice as an American but to vote for them or the boogie man on the other "side" will win when in fact you do have a choice and the people on the other side are your fellow Americans that want nothing more to no longer hate our neighbors because we are told that is the only choice we have. Heal the divide and save our nation welcome your fellow Americans and make a better future for yourself and our children #Kennedy24

[@Ross8992]

Well argued, Ezra. Also important to note that voters should be judging Biden and Trump not only on their current cognitive competence, but on the trajectory that is bound to take over the coming years. I'm not American and don't get a vote, but people around the world are affected by what happens in the US. I hope you all can muster the will to do whatever it takes to minimize the risk of Trump getting back into office.

[@cllwydd]

Whatever it takes, including cheating?

[@Ross8992]

@@cllwydd No, not cheating.

[@kreek22]

Trump has far more cognitive capacity than Biden does, yet you worry about Trump. Most disingenuous.

[@RP-hn1qc]

​@@Ross8992GFYS, our allies are useless as in January 2018 Norway cut defense spending then in June 2018 asked for US troops because big ole scary Russia. If you won't defend yourself with equal financial and manpower investment then you aren't worthy of being assisted. Prime example Afghanistan buckling to Taliban in 24 hours as soon as US troops left. Our allies will be equally as useless.

[@supremetrain]

RFK is the answer to this election and healing the divide in this country God bless America 🇺🇸 #Kennedy24

[@tacobreather]

There’s a lot riding on this election. We have many reasons to be concerned. We can only hope the electorate is wise enough to differentiate between honest and effective, versus evil and incompetent.

[@joythought]

Well done. Needed to be said. Biden should step down and get Harris to step down as well. No matter what she is like in small groups she isn't genuinely popular. That was what people said of Hilary: smart and great in small groups. Well, that's not a winning strategy.

[@mattihalme81]

Any actual female candidate can’t be the worst candidate ever. If the lazy argument goes that Trump was the second worst candidate in history, he just happened to run against Hillary, it’s a bit too cute that Harris and senile Biden fit between those two data points.

[@makeadifference4all]

Biden is doing well as President. You can argue that because of his age, he should not run for reelection. However, there is no reason for him to resign the presidency.

[@richarddietzen3137]

@@makeadifference4allThat’s what he’s saying, and I’m afraid he is right.

[@makeadifference4all]

@@richarddietzen3137 Why would Biden resign: so Harris could be President for 11 months? It makes no sense.

[@WhizzingFish12]

Clinton is reptilian.

[@a.e.rivera-weaver8175]

NYT Russian propaganda at its best.

[@jonofpdx]

Explain please. I am a dyed in the wool liberal. I was not a Biden supporter in the Primary (I was a Warren voter) but I have been pleasantly surprised by him and have defended his presidency. But you can't NOT see that he's a less effective public speaker. He no longer inspires any confidence. And he's an easy target for unflattering comparison to Trump. Who, to be clear, is a fucking monster. But he's a more energetic and engaging monster. If you want Democrats to win then Joe Biden is a liability. And that was the whole POINT of Joe Biden. He's supposed to be the electability candidate.

[@davidhlnda]

Wow I thought Trumpists were REALLY INTO RUSSIA

[@merlinsteele6840]

Let’s go Brandon!

[@jaysaburo5108]

Trump 2024 ! FJB

[@rachaelik]

He is making a dreadful, long-term mistake in Gaza.

[@melissareiter2962]

Foolish to believe that this is a good moment to destabilize the US' position in the world. Mr. Klein, I used to respect you.

[@magpiegirl3783]

The standing of the US and the UK in the world is crumbling. I see both countries imploding through lack of strong leadership and strong opposition to keep the incumbents accountable. Everyone pulling for the popular vote without thought to consequences. The manipulation of the legal system to assist in getting the "desired outcome" is rife in a country that boasts about upholding the rule of law.

[@melissareiter2962]

Don't give up on us now. Give the leadership positions to Democrats for more than two years and lets see what they can do. Don't give up just as we are on the threshold. @@magpiegirl3783

[@richardleirer]

Ha Ha Ha anyone saying Biden has wisdom is not credible. He and Trump, two of the same cloth. Time for another 3 rd option.

[@DowntownsUptown]

Bernie Sanders.

[@clacla8122]

Thank you

[@nickjablonski4552]

Thank you, Ezra. This needed to be said before it’s too late.

[@blacklinkfirelink2304]

That would have been a year ago. It is very obviously too late now. Choosing a candidate through any means but a primary would be catastrophic for the party. "Vote blue no matter who" is a little easier to stomach when you know you got beaten fair and square, but there's no way the progressive left will vote for a moderate chosen by the party to replace Biden without any primaries.

[@nickjablonski4552]

@@blacklinkfirelink2304where are they going to go? Trump? RFK?

[@einnAnnie]

​@@nickjablonski4552 Hopefully.

[@davegreene8588]

Why would anyone suggest RFK, Jr.? His political positions are nothing like Biden's or most Democrats'.

[@kareypope2325]

Maybe if he shut the damn border down he would be popular

[@michaellowenthal3203]

Who has done that

[@einnAnnie]

Probably not. He sucks on a lot of issues, maybe even ALL issues, not just immigration.

[@Boymanjusri]

@@einnAnnieif you are on extreme side of the politics, you may think he sucks on all issues. Thank god he is not.

[@dominictemple]

Gosh, if only there was a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives that fixed the problem of the border. But Trump and the Republicans blocked it because they are more interested in scaring their voters than actually fixing the problem. Conservatives are arsonists complaining that the firefighters are doing a terrible job of doing putting out all these fires while sabotaging fire trucks and cutting of the water supply.

[@kpw84u2]

I call bullshit on you saying he didnt tryband force the progressives to bend a knee and instead operated as a coalition builder... None of what he did in the past 4 years can be described in that way.

[@DamienWalter]

16:29 Waiting for Ezra to declare his candidacy

[@skagate]

I am so on board with you on this Ezra! -LETS GO!!

[@AndrewStruthers]

I still say Trump’s wife is hotter and makes a better first lady

[@mujin70]

Thanks for this. Balanced but also raising the question the Biden pundits can’t write off. We also need to ask how he’ll be in two years.

[@CorritOUT]

How he’ll be in two yrs????! Try 2 minutes!!!

[@kreek22]

He's got the world's best backup if he has to resign.

[@lindamckibben2828]

Executive function is not a physical shuffle. Trouble, with executive function, can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions, now who does that sound like?

[@wendylafolle]

Ezra is not saying Biden shouldn't run because he is old, but because of what people think about it - and how hard it is for him to overcome that. I know someone who suffers from ME. He told me that he recognized Biden's coping mechanisms. This is not to say Biden has ME, but there are similarities. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed. People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems. ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness.

[@rachaelik]

Both Biden and Trump, unfortunately.

[@e-spy]

@@rachaelik not really.

[@panda-ep6xo]

The fact that you’re trying to debate which parts of the president’s brain are pudding is such cope lmfao

[@michellegates7083]

YES!!!!

[@f.demascio1857]

I'm more worried about MAGA Mike getting in the Oval than Kamala.

[@jennycatlike]

When I imagine this solution I feel like I can breathe again

[@CASLUCASTON]

Power is Addictive!!!!…Look at McConnell, Grassley, Pelosi…why expect anything different from Biden!

[@einnAnnie]

Grassley? Did you include him because of his age? I don't think power is the reason Grassley is still in it, I think it's because the guy lives for keeping busy 24/7. I mean he runs 5 miles every morning, does like 100 pushups a day, and travels to every county in his state to talk to his constituents every single year. Old man just isn't ready to hang up his hat yet. But I'll definitely give you the other three, and throw in Lindsey Graham for good measure.

[@davegreene8588]

​@@einnAnnie Let's not kid anyone! Chuckles Ghastley is no Jack LaLanne!

[@Protect_all_ljf3forms]

RFK Jr was a viable candidate but the establishment decides not the voters

[@mikealthouse7065]

F joe...50 years in politics and hasn't done anything but divide the country

[@rosslogie217]

Kamala Harris would be terrible. Your point about ageism applies to sexism and racism, the electorate can discriminate and Harris is not strategic.

[@magpiegirl3783]

Harris is not anything. What con was pulled to get her on the presidential ticket in 2020?

[@antmass3]

Between Trump, Biden and her, she's the only one who approaches anything remotely close to mental fitness for the job. In a country with so many talented people, how are these somehow our only choices? What a dysfunctional system.

[@saladz3657]

RFK jr.

[@missshroom5512]

Just don’t be dumb! Vote Blue❤️🤍💙

[@ClarkPotter]

Don't be like Biden, you're saying?

[@williamchandler2558]

They cheated,he is a crook.

[@stayclean777]

Too much credence given to Hur's partisan hatchet job, it's good having decades of experience at the wheel in tricky times. Too bad Kamala isn't A.G. tho.

[@wendylafolle]

I'm with you, bit it isn't whether Biden is capable or not, it's whether he can be a strong campaigner. By the way, I was informed by a highly intelligent person, who himself had suffered serious capacity reduction because of disease, that he recognized Biden's coping mechanisms. This person is quite sure that Biden is suffering from some kind of mental decline.

[@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh]

Im so torn. Biden has done an incredible job and does the best behind the scenes. We dont need a 50 year old president but we need someone who can campaign aggressively.

[@zydecoloco]

Incredibly bad!

[@fuzzypanda1684]

I'm sorry, he's done an incredible job? At what? Sending prices through the roof? Shutting down our energy independence? Setting the stage for 2 new wars? The only incredible thing about Bidens term is that the country managed to continue existing.

[@stardust0322]

So vote for Trump. Stop pretending you won't

[@kreek22]

He has been almost incredibly terrible--except it's not him, it's his handlers.

[@johnw9038]

Wow, you're almost as braindead as Biden 😂

[@gregorywatts-wv3mh]

OMG ! 3:12 minutes in and the lies are so constant . HELP ME LORD !

[@davidhlnda]

Exactly what lies. EVERYTHING HES SAYING TRACKS

[@colby25]

As a brit i do not understand how the democrats can have an old man with such serious dementia issues running for POTUS. All the undecided voters are never going to vote for someone with these kind of issues. Is it in the american constitution for standing presidents to run again? I just watched a YT polling channel and they got trump already on for a landslide. This is not an age issue. Its a health issue.

[@aliceb.6330]

Ezra said, "It's not the age, it is the impression Biden is giving of age." Agree. He looks feeble. I saw WESLEY CLARK, 79, on TV this week giving his opinion about the wars. He is sharp and looks very healthy. He could campaign and be a great president (at least one term). I'm sure he is not interested.

[@chrisschulz88]

He hid in his basement the last election and needed the moderators to step in and defend his goofy old a$$

[@blondiegreeneyes4802]

Do you have a basement ? Go there.

[@Tanagra180]

LOL, his "goofy ass" had been one of the most effective presidents in recent history, despite a totally blocked congress!

[@chrisschulz88]

@@Tanagra180 Biden?

[@sparshparimoo]

Kamala is too measured? 😂 She ought to measure her words even more carefully imho.

[@TG-rf2iu]

He’s absolutely right. Open convention. Harris has had 4 years to make her persona better and she’s failed miserably.

[@samearnest]

Yes his name is Donald Trump !

[@carolcampbell2041]

Loved the speaker and the idea of an Open Convention. So many thought provoking ideas. I agree that the Democratic Party is going to have to look at this 2024 election in ways that have done been done for many years.

[@jmlouie]

This would be awesome! I think it would actually help his legacy if Dems won. If they lose, maybe it would reflect poorly, but probably it will be seen as a likely outcome no matter what.

[@searose6192]

17:59 So the solution is to *completely cast aside the will of the voter* entirely and anoint a candidate.

[@gregorywatts-wv3mh]

LIAR LIAR , PANTS ON FIRE !

[@JamesUchuno]

What more can there be to ask? The gravamen of your piece was clearly is a matter of fact and not just opinion. It is an issue that you have disambiguated like 1 move out of many on a chess board at a critical juncture of a game and that needs to be executed or else ventures shall fall to ruin. I believe that all you are saying is this: if you think that the lifeblood of democracy is about to die a painful death at the alter of a general election, then by God, put your best foot forward. Sacrifice the 'queen' to gain the advantage. Engineer a possible victory by choosing or coronating a youthful leader that people can coalesce around. Whatever needs to be done, make sure you make the right choice, make the hard choice or make the strategic choice and if nothing else, it might be a very good time to show them a new lesson: like Washington who need not have left after his second term, for goodness sake "teach them how to say goodbye" because these are the times that try men's souls.

[@kreek22]

Nice piece of satire.

[@jeannebertolina4792]

Love this ❤❤❤ One question, where's Jamie Raskin? Also can we get T-shirts that say Organize for Victory?

[@ulfwokurka7510]

Perhaps at the convention?

[@einnAnnie]

Do you mean 'where is Jamie Raskin' as in he should run for President? I sure hope not.

[@ennisdodd1888]

Jamie Raskin would be great, but his recent health issues would be held against him. Whitehouse would also be a great choice.

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

After cancelling the Keystone Pipeline, valid oil leases on Federal lands, 40 year high inflation, not seen since the Middle East Oil Embargo’s good luck in 2024. Quadrupling debt by Biden, 34 Trillion deficit. Do you remember when your son died? It’s not a valid question? My wonderful father had a touch of memory issues, but a great conversationalist. The President having Dementia matters.

[@jamesbingley3925]

Writing this after the SOTU. Curious to know if it changed any minds. I think it should.

[@richarddietzen3137]

Convince Jill to convince Joe to abandon his campaign in time for alternative candidates to emerge and be vetted. Please no last minute change of heart, and no hand off to Kamala.

[@TheLucanicLord]

Perhaps it's a cunning plan to catch the MAGAtards off balance? They prepare a load of unimaginative attacks against Biden and are faced with someone else?

[@paulgilligan6843]

7:39 7:52

[@kreek22]

Biden is the best candidate for a simple reason: he cannot function as President, which means by default the permanent government actually rules the nation. That means government by consensus, not gov't by ego. Politburos rule, man!

[@synergy2222]

Jill loves being in the WH, she wants him to continue to be POTUS.

[@needmorecowbell6895]

I loathe Trump, but Harris would be a disaster. Biden needs to step down before the convention. I really thought the the adults were back in charge when Biden was elected. The truth is that he's a passenger and the Republicans have no interest in governing.

[@obriets]

Not to mention the lack of leadership and timidity over Ukraine.

[@wry6read]

If only he were typical of all the Washington "passengers."

[@supremetrain]

#Kennedy24

[@jamesdecker8630]

The greatest virtue of any leader is knowing when to step aside. Unlike Trump, Biden doesn't strike me as a man driven by ego, nor will he abandon the country to Trump out of personal pride. I'm sure he recognizes the necessity of shaking up the race and doing it at the convention makes the most sense. Biden is a wise leader, like him we must trust America and trust the process of democracy, albeit often unpredictable and messy at times. What is entirely predictable now, Trump will win and torch everything in his path. That outcome is simply unacceptable.

[@blacklinkfirelink2304]

Stepping aside at the convention would be a disaster. The progressive left will not vote for any moderate democrat chosen by the party without a primary. The 2nd highest vote getter in the 2020 primary was the left-most senator in the country. Getting those people on board with any less progressive candidate is not an easy needle to thread.

[@jamesdecker8630]

@@blacklinkfirelink2304 Allowing Trump back into the WH would be a bigger disaster, much bigger than any dust up at the convention. There would be less time for Trump/Putin to meddle with the alternative too. And pretty much any democrat is going to be more progressive than Biden (although on paper, Biden has been more progressive than expected). Progressives are rightly freaked out about Trump, they'd sooner vote for Joe Lieberman than allow that to happen. If things don't turn around for Dems soon, I DON'T believe they just go down with the ship and say, "We didn't have another option." Clearly, they do.

[@michaelscheuermann6949]

I agree.... Hey Joe, please don't be another Ginsberg

[@supremetrain]

#Kennedy24

[@hannahconroy]

Really good, though-provoking podcast. Thank you, Ezra!

[@KaoriKino]

I wish Bernie was younger, too

[@supremetrain]

#Kennedy24

[@sheilalopez3983]

The Queen of England Queened into her nineties and managed to keep everything together and did it well. Now her son is king and he is making a mess of it.

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

You make a plausible case that there are alternatives with better odds. Regardless of who we pick, perhaps the campaign should not be on one man's shoulders alone. Because governing the country isn't either. The team could campaign as a team because it will govern as a team. Group interviews, group actions. There's the energy, the strength, the companionship. Is there a serious problem with that? Or do people really believe that there needs to be a single strong man in charge and everything depends on him?

[@chrisschulz88]

Except they didn't ask him about his son. They didn't say he was cleared, they said they wouldn't pursue charges cause he is cognitively deficient. He's a failure on every level despite me wanting him to succeed. If you think he's the most qualified this country is fd. It's elder abuse at this point

[@csongidamadavidauguste3616]

Thanx Ezra from Europe!

[@MrCrescendo]

I think this idea is completely insane for a million reasons, but here's a few big ones: the idea that we know with such certainty at this point in the election that Biden can't win in November that our only recourse is to introduce an astronomically risky change at this late date is astonishingly stupid. Are we at some risk of Biden losing? Yes, of course, but this idea that a nominating convention would just be so much fun! And so invigorating and entertaining! Is nuts. See 1968. You honestly think that famously fractious Dems while Israel/Palestine is roilng are going to sing Kumbaya and come together in harmony and unity? Like I said, insane. In a time of uncertainty and madness, the one advantage we have over the GOP is that we're stable, consistent and competent. This would overturn that perception and put us in the same level of infighting and turmoil as them! This would be an own goal. This would be malpractice. We need to stay the course and push like hell for this election to be a referendum on Trump! We can do that! And if we do, we win, period. People don't need to love Biden. They didn't in 2020 and we won. And I haven't even gotten into the complications of the Biden/Harris campaign money which cant just be automatically transferred to any campaign. This is idiocy.

[@texaspatty4697]

I vaguely remember watching a convention where that happened, where the candidate was chosen there. I was an interested preteen, back in the 60s.

[@jamesbaker9342]

A brave and important episode. It’s what makes the team behind this show great. But no mention of Dean Phillips! Not a bad candidate as well…

[@lunellkruger2981]

He is invisible

[@wendylafolle]

An awful candidate! Did you see his interview on The Bulwark? I was gobsmacked.

[@supremetrain]

I am from Minnesota and voted for Dean Phillips but the fact that no where in this show did they mention RFK its a joke he is easily the obvious choice in this election even as an independent and it's about time we no longer stay divided among party lines and unite the American people and vote for RFK #Kennedy24

[@lunellkruger2981]

@@supremetrain Well no, anybody who flirts with conspiracy theories, should not be in the running. I fact checked some of his statements. You should do the same.

[@supremetrain]

@@lunellkruger2981 would love to see your sources on that much like the conspiracy theory of a lab leak for covid I bet which funny turns out that actually is the most likely place or 6 foot social distancing which is admitted conspiracy theory supported by our medical and political establishment to further scare the public. I am not anti-vaxx I am vaccinated both my children are and so is Kennedy and his children but I am and so is Kennedy of the stance of Pro-studies for all medication including vaccines assuming this is your main talking point against him just like mainstream media maybe you used there "source" as a reference?

[@ili626]

Mary Trump freaked out about Jon Stewart’s Daily Show analysis, and failed to understand his main point: That Trump is such a threat that we can’t risk running a weak candidate against him. Her fans believe it’s too late to change candidates, but none (that I’ve seen) have addressed how Biden can simply transfer delegates at the DNC Convention. They ignore this point when I make it in comments on other platforms.

[@fuzzypanda1684]

Yes, Trump is a huge threat. If he gets elected again, we'd have to deal with another 4 years of low inflation, energy independence, no new wars, peace deals in the middle east, a secure border etc. I don't think we could survive that.

[@kreek22]

It's amusing the hysteria and ignorance of reality that Trump reveals among Leftists.

[@einnAnnie]

How exactly is Trump "a threat"? And a threat to what, or whom? Democrats always say he's a threat to "democracy", but what does that even mean? Democrats are the one cancelling primaries and declaring Biden the winner, removing names from the ballot to prevent people from voting for the candidate of their choice, and diluting the vote of American citizens by allowing noncitizens to vote in municipal elections, refusing to clean their voter rolls or implement voter ID requirements, despite the vast majority of people, including minorities, being in support of it, regardless of party affiliation. Democrats are the ones working with Big Tech to censor dissent online. From people declaring support for Palestine, to questioning the safety and efficacy of the C19 vaccine or sharing the injuries caused by it, to expressing widespread concern over election integrity or possible ways to alleviate it, it's the Democrats who are subverting democracy. Did you know that Google, in coordination with Congressional Democrats, consistently pushes websites that contain conservative content, whether it be news articles, blogs, or whatever, down its list of search results, even when searching for the title of the page or article, verbatim? Gmail sends conservative candidates' fundraising emails to the spam folder at the end of every month, and the closer it gets to the election, when most donations are received? Is this the "democracy" you believe Trump threatens? If so, then I guess you're right.

[@einnAnnie]

Nice to see YT removed my comment already. The answer to your question about delegates was addressed in the video at 17:44 .

[@kreek22]

@@einnAnnie The censorship and the totalitarian impulse in general comes only from the Left in America. Enjoy.

[@sampal5352]

He didn’t beat Bernie etc- we all know that Obama and the DNC interceded in SC, talked to the other candidates who then did the unprecedented and all dropped out, later accepting positions in Biden’s administration. Bernie will always collaborate and concede with this party for the better good. Please, with the apology for Biden and Obama’s neoliberal legacy. Break your heart that we didn’t get Bernie and the untenable threat of actual change to the status quo.

[@jessamynfinneran5036]

Exactly.

[@michaelrichter1465]

Pure fertilizer. Actually, PC. Pure Crapp.

[@benthomas4544]

The right wing has been saying the Democrats were going to do this since before last summer. It's so obviously the plan. It feels disingenuous how Ezra makes this sound like something he just thought of and how he is bravely risking pushback for putting it out there. I believe this has been the plan since they realized how incompetent Harris actually is. Instead we've been lamely chearing on and coping for the emperor and his new clothes. "You know he's always had a stutter, right?" And so on. The only question is who will govern California next year?

[@TruthrConsequences]

Nancy Pelosi?

[@rivercitymud]

It sure would be nice if Cali Dems hadn't let a tomb full of mummies lie in repose in all of their federal seats for the last thousand years, then maybe they'd have a bullpen with more than three people in it.

[@joannlarson6386]

Why Nancy, she needs to take more taxpayer dollars for her and Firms turns scheme of stealing taxpayer money for the train to nowhere. I remember when I voted for her and she ran on getting rid of lifetime politians, which she became.

[@yurilooser]

Hahahaha yes please Have u seen her in a bikini lol

[@LisaFaiss]

If the NYT keeps harping on this topic, I’m going to be searching for a better option than my NYT subscription. This is fool hardy at this point.

[@einnAnnie]

_That's_ your bright line ultimatum? Not the lies they publish, but too much 'Dems can do better than Biden'? Hm.

[@donyalucas2713]

It would be so insulting to not pass the nomination to Harris

[@donyalucas2713]

Fatalism is sad and uncalled for considering we have Kennedy🎉

[@andresp.4583]

Thought provoking and interesting, you lost me a bit on the part about this being a “world”that’s so hard for poor Kamala. You know maybe she’s unlikeable to many because… well… she’s just not very likable. You don’t need to always stuff your woke ideology into the turkey until the seams are popping, that’s exactly what turns people off. But overall, good ideas to think about here, using the convention could be really interesting

[@supremetrain]

#Kennedy24

[@avedic]

I was pretty stunned to see this in my podcast feed this morning. But I'm so very glad you said it....especially given your platform and the fact you have the ear of a lot of important people in political circles. If Trump wins...that'll be a threshold we probably won't ever come back from. We can't let that happen. Biden did a good job, but I felt like in 2020 we had an understanding that this would be a one term affair. The side by side you played of Biden's speech in 2019...and in 2023 was difficult to listen to. The optics are awful. But so is the very real chance he doesn't even _make it_ to election day...especially given how physically taxing campaigning is. This is all bigger than Biden...and it's WAY past time we talk about this, make a decision, and do it asap. Now that you've said it...and Jon Stewart focused on it Monday...hopefully more voices will join in now. Thank you Ezra.