Who Should Lead the Democratic Ticket? Six Columnists Weigh In.
1Digest
This episode of Matter of Opinion explores the potential Democratic nominees for the 2024 presidential election, focusing on the debate surrounding Joe Biden's candidacy. Lydia Polgrain argues for Kamala Harris as a replacement, highlighting her experience as a prosecutor and her ability to counter Donald Trump's lies. Nicholas Christoff advocates for Gretchen Whitmer, emphasizing her ability to win key swing states and her fresh perspective. Ross Douthit proposes Joe Manchin, emphasizing his moderate stance and ability to appeal to centrist voters. Pamela Paul makes the case for Wes Moore, highlighting his diverse experience and potential to energize the electorate. David French suggests Josh Shapiro, emphasizing his moderate ideology, temperament, and location in a key swing state. Charles Blow, however, argues that Biden should remain on the ticket, citing his experience and the lack of evidence that any other candidate would perform better. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to share their opinions on Biden, Trump, and the Democratic Convention.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the topic of the podcast episode, which is the potential Democratic nominees for the 2024 presidential election, with a focus on the debate surrounding Joe Biden's candidacy.
Kamala Harris: A Strong Challenger to Trump
This Chapter presents Lydia Polgrain's argument for Kamala Harris as a replacement for Joe Biden. Polgrain highlights Harris's experience as a prosecutor, her ability to counter Donald Trump's lies, and her strong stance on abortion rights.
Gretchen Whitmer: A Pragmatic and Fresh Face
This Chapter presents Nicholas Christoff's case for Gretchen Whitmer as the Democratic nominee. Christoff emphasizes Whitmer's ability to win key swing states, her fresh perspective, and her strong stance on abortion rights.
Joe Manchin: A Moderate Voice in a Polarized Era
This Chapter presents Ross Douthit's argument for Joe Manchin as the Democratic nominee. Douthit highlights Manchin's moderate stance, his ability to appeal to centrist voters, and his experience in winning elections in a state that has become increasingly Republican.
Keywords
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a prominent figure in American politics for over four decades. He is known for his moderate political views and his ability to work across the aisle.
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. Trump is a member of the Republican Party and is known for his controversial statements and policies. He is a polarizing figure in American politics, with strong supporters and detractors.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the 49th and current vice president of the United States. She served as the 32nd attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. Harris is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for her progressive political views. She is the first female vice president, the first African American vice president, and the first Asian American vice president.
Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer is the 49th and current governor of Michigan. She is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for her progressive political views. Whitmer is a former state senator and is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin is a senior United States senator from West Virginia. He is a member of the Democratic Party, but is known for his moderate political views. Manchin is often considered a swing vote in the Senate and is known for his ability to work across the aisle.
Wes Moore
Wes Moore is the 62nd and current governor of Maryland. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for his progressive political views. Moore is a former military officer, investment banker, and author. He is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro is the 48th and current governor of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for his moderate political views. Shapiro is a former attorney general and state representative. He is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party.
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 is known for its support of social programs, environmental protection, and civil rights.
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 is known for its support of lower taxes, less government regulation, and a strong national defense.
2024 Presidential Election
The 2024 United States presidential election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The election will determine the 47th president of the United States. The incumbent president, Joe Biden, is eligible to run for a second term. The Republican Party is expected to nominate Donald Trump as its candidate.
Q&A
What are the main arguments for and against replacing Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for president in 2024?
Those who support replacing Biden argue that he is too old and out of touch with the needs of the country, and that he is not a strong enough candidate to defeat Donald Trump. They point to his recent debate performance as evidence of his declining mental acuity. Those who support keeping Biden on the ticket argue that he is the best chance the Democrats have of defeating Trump, and that he has the experience and knowledge necessary to lead the country. They also argue that replacing him with a less-known candidate would be a risky move that could backfire.
What are the key factors that the Democratic Party should consider when choosing their nominee for president in 2024?
The Democratic Party should consider a number of factors when choosing their nominee, including the candidate's experience, electability, policy positions, and ability to appeal to a broad range of voters. They should also consider the political climate and the challenges facing the country. The goal is to choose a candidate who can unite the party, inspire voters, and defeat the Republican nominee.
What are the potential risks and benefits of a brokered convention for the Democratic Party in 2024?
A brokered convention could be a risky move for the Democratic Party, as it could lead to a divisive and chaotic process that could alienate voters. However, it could also be a way to choose a candidate who is more electable than the current frontrunner. The Democratic Party will need to weigh the risks and benefits carefully before deciding whether to hold a brokered convention.
Show Notes
Matter of Opinion is off this week, but the news hasn’t stopped. So this week we’re bringing you something from columnists across New York Times Opinion. With President Biden’s candidacy in question, we asked them: Who would you like to see as the Democratic nominee? These are their answers.
- Lydia Polgreen on the case for Vice President Kamala Harris
- Nicholas Kristof on the case for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
- Ross Douthat on the case for Senator Joe Manchin
- Pamela Paul on the case for Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland
- David French on the case for Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania
- Charles Blow on the case for President Biden
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
If your opinion has changed on President Biden since the debate, we want to hear from you, too. What do you hope to see happen before the Democratic convention? Leave us a voice mail at 212-556-7440 or email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com
This audio essay was originally made for the NYT Audio App, free for Times subscribers in the Apple App Store.
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