His withdrawal has unleashed a torrent of enthusiasm

[pat_k]

17. I disagree

Democrats were already divided.

Before he announced his intention to run, many, many people in the party prayed he would keep his promise and "pass the torch" -- that we would have a vibrant primary contest, new voices on the national stage. He decided to run, and for better or worse, the party coalesced behind him. Our votes in the primary were a rubber stamp on a "done deal" many were not happy about. President Biden is a powerhouse with a fantastic record. Unfortunately, Candidate Biden's age was problem that President Biden could not solve. We did our damndest to generate enthusiasm, but many, particularly people under 30, felt his age represented a fossilized party out of touch with them. People were committed to voting against Trump, but the level of excitement needed to drive the sort of turnout we must have to defeat Trump was not there, and the polls reflected this. The lack of enthusiasm predated the heart-breaking debate. That debate just brought the issue into sharp relief.

Democracy can be messy, but debate in the public square makes us stronger, not weaker. Democrats are not, and will never be, the sort of cult of personality that requires silence from anyone who doesn't go along with the "company line."