Julián Castro on the Biden Problem, and What the Democratic Party Got Wrong
Digest
Juliana Castro, a former presidential candidate and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, believes that President Biden should not run for re-election in 2024. She argues that Biden's age is a significant liability, and that the Democratic Party needs a fresh face to defeat Donald Trump. Castro points to the disastrous performance of Biden in the first presidential debate, which she believes exposed his age-related cognitive decline. She also argues that the Democratic Party's establishment has stifled any potential challengers to Biden, effectively preventing a primary debate and limiting the public's options. Castro believes that Vice President Kamala Harris would be a strong candidate, capable of mobilizing the base and appealing to a broader electorate. She argues that Harris has the potential to win in the fall and would be a more effective presidential candidate than any of the other names being floated. Castro also expresses concern about the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, highlighting the dangers of his authoritarian tendencies and the potential for further erosion of democratic norms.
Outlines
Introduction
This chapter introduces the topic of the podcast, which is the Democratic Party's anxiety about President Biden's age and the potential consequences for the 2024 presidential election.
Castro's Concerns About Biden's Age
This chapter discusses Juliana Castro's concerns about President Biden's age and her belief that he should not run for re-election. Castro argues that Biden's age is a significant liability and that the Democratic Party needs a fresh face to defeat Donald Trump.
The Democratic Party's Establishment and the Lack of a Primary
This chapter explores the Democratic Party's establishment and its role in stifling any potential challengers to President Biden. Castro argues that the party's infrastructure has effectively prevented a primary debate and limited the public's options.
The Importance of Latino Voter Turnout
This chapter discusses the importance of Latino voter turnout in the 2024 election. Castro highlights the growing number of eligible Latino voters and the work being done to ensure their participation in the election.
Keywords
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He is a controversial figure, known for his populist and nationalist rhetoric, his business dealings, and his personal life. Trump is a member of the Republican Party and is considered to be on the right wing of the party. He is a strong supporter of conservative policies, such as tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong military. Trump is also known for his use of social media, which he has used to communicate directly with his supporters and to attack his opponents.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is considered to be on the center-left of the party. Biden is a strong supporter of liberal policies, such as social welfare programs, environmental protection, and gun control. Biden is also known for his experience in government, having served as a U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years and as vice president under Barack Obama for eight years.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is an American politician who served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She is a member of the Democratic Party and is considered to be on the center-left of the party. Harris is a strong supporter of liberal policies, such as social justice, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection. Harris is also known for her experience in government, having served as a district attorney, attorney general of California, and U.S. senator from California.
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum. The Democratic Party's platform is based on social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection. The party's core values include equality, opportunity, and fairness. The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the United States, having been founded in 1828.
Republican Party
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States. It is generally considered to be center-right on the political spectrum. The Republican Party's platform is based on limited government, individual liberty, and free markets. The party's core values include freedom, opportunity, and responsibility. The Republican Party was founded in 1854.
2024 Presidential Election
The 2024 United States presidential election will be the 59th quadrennial presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The incumbent president, Joe Biden, is eligible to run for a second term. The Republican Party's nominee is expected to be Donald Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Biden. The election is expected to be highly contested, with both parties vying for control of the White House and Congress.
Latino Community
The Latino community is a diverse group of people in the United States who trace their ancestry to Latin America. The Latino community is the largest minority group in the United States, with over 60 million people. The Latino community is growing rapidly, and its political influence is increasing. Latinos are a key demographic in many states, including California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona.
Project 2025
Project 2025 is a blueprint for a second Trump presidency, outlining a plan for a more authoritarian government. The project includes proposals for a range of policies, including restrictions on voting rights, increased surveillance, and a crackdown on immigration. The project has been criticized by many as a threat to democracy.
Ageism
Ageism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals or groups based on their age. It can manifest in many ways, including negative stereotypes, unfair treatment, and exclusion from opportunities. Ageism is a pervasive problem in society, affecting people of all ages.
Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline is a general term for a decline in mental abilities, such as memory, thinking, and problem-solving. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, disease, and injury. Cognitive decline can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older adults.
Q&A
What are Juliana Castro's main concerns about President Biden's age and his potential re-election campaign?
Castro believes that Biden's age is a significant liability, and that the Democratic Party needs a fresh face to defeat Donald Trump in 2024. She points to Biden's disastrous performance in the first presidential debate, which she believes exposed his age-related cognitive decline.
Why does Castro believe that the Democratic Party's establishment has stifled any potential challengers to Biden?
Castro argues that the party's infrastructure has effectively prevented a primary debate and limited the public's options. She believes that the establishment has sent a clear message to potential candidates and consultants that they will be blackballed if they challenge Biden.
What are Castro's thoughts on Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential presidential candidate?
Castro believes that Harris would be a strong candidate, capable of mobilizing the base and appealing to a broader electorate. She argues that Harris has the potential to win in the fall and would be a more effective presidential candidate than any of the other names being floated.
What are the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, according to Castro?
Castro expresses concern about the potential consequences of a second Trump presidency, highlighting the dangers of his authoritarian tendencies and the potential for further erosion of democratic norms. She believes that Trump's Project 2025, which outlines a plan for a more authoritarian government, is a serious threat to democracy.
What is the importance of Latino voter turnout in the 2024 election?
Castro highlights the growing number of eligible Latino voters and the work being done to ensure their participation in the election. She believes that Latinos are a key demographic in many states, and that their vote will be crucial in determining the outcome of the election.
Show Notes
The panic that gripped Democrats during and after President Biden’s performance in the June debate against Donald Trump didn’t come out of nowhere. In January of last year, the Radio Hour produced an episode about President Biden’s age, and the concerns that voters were already expressing. But no nationally prominent Democratic politician was willing to challenge Biden in the primaries. After the debate, Julián Castro was one of the first prominent Democrats to say that Biden should withdraw from the race, and he went on to tell MSNBC’s Alex Wagner that potential Democratic rivals and even staffers “got the message” that their careers would be “blackballed” if they challenged him. Castro—who came up as the mayor of San Antonio, and then served as President Obama’s Secretary for Housing and Urban Development—ran against Biden in the Presidential primary for the 2020 election. He talks with David Remnick about how we got here, and what the Democratic Party should have done differently.
Table of contents
United States
