David Gergen is confusing me. He seems to be pining for a Biden candidacy because in this way Democrats could "create a new spirit of bipartisanship with Republicans". On the other hand, he also seems to be stabbing Uncle Joe in the back by counseling that Biden would obviously be too old to run for a second term, so he must declare from the outset that he'd be a one-termer.
First, let me ridicule the notion that Joe Biden could "create a new spirit of bipartisanship with Republicans". Who are these elected Republicans whom Gergen imagines will be won over by Biden's folksy aphorisms and regular guy charm? I understand that some of Biden's appeal arises from his supposed ability to persuade gullible voters he could accomplish that feat, but this is just Green Lanternism -- the silly idea that presidents can overcome entrenched impediments through mere force of personality or will. It shouldn't be the sort of thing I'd expect to hear from a senior political analyst like Gergen, except that it's exactly the sort of thing I'd expect to hear from a senior political analyst like Gergen.
Second, it'd be crazy for Democrats to nominate anyone who had to promise not to seek a second term. Why would Democrats conceivably do that? Not coincidentally, Gergen also thinks that Biden should pledge to stock his administration full of Republicans. For VSPs like Gergen, bipartisanship is an end in itself, like a self-licking ice cream cone (at least when Democrats are in charge).
Third, the age thing is real. Here's what Gergen says about it:
Speaking as someone who'd like a Democrat to win the White House in 2020 -- and in 2024 -- I'd rather that Democrats not nominate someone as old as Biden (or Bernie). Democrats have a lot of options. Why pick one whose age would raise questions throughout? And in particular, why would Democrats do that in the vain hope that the old guy would magically transform the GOP?
First, let me ridicule the notion that Joe Biden could "create a new spirit of bipartisanship with Republicans". Who are these elected Republicans whom Gergen imagines will be won over by Biden's folksy aphorisms and regular guy charm? I understand that some of Biden's appeal arises from his supposed ability to persuade gullible voters he could accomplish that feat, but this is just Green Lanternism -- the silly idea that presidents can overcome entrenched impediments through mere force of personality or will. It shouldn't be the sort of thing I'd expect to hear from a senior political analyst like Gergen, except that it's exactly the sort of thing I'd expect to hear from a senior political analyst like Gergen.
Second, it'd be crazy for Democrats to nominate anyone who had to promise not to seek a second term. Why would Democrats conceivably do that? Not coincidentally, Gergen also thinks that Biden should pledge to stock his administration full of Republicans. For VSPs like Gergen, bipartisanship is an end in itself, like a self-licking ice cream cone (at least when Democrats are in charge).
Third, the age thing is real. Here's what Gergen says about it:
And committing to one term would also diminish the importance of his age issue. With a single term, he would step down at 81. People might accept that. But trying to go on till 85? That seems beyond the pale.
"Beyond the pale." Wowzers. I think Biden would actually be 82 at the end of his first term, but either way, he'd be our oldest President. Five years older than Reagan. And while I'm on the subject, Bernie is a year older than Biden.
Speaking as someone who'd like a Democrat to win the White House in 2020 -- and in 2024 -- I'd rather that Democrats not nominate someone as old as Biden (or Bernie). Democrats have a lot of options. Why pick one whose age would raise questions throughout? And in particular, why would Democrats do that in the vain hope that the old guy would magically transform the GOP?
