Like another commenter, I thought this was a lovely, meaningful, sensitive piece, but I'm not sure I agree with your characterization of Biden having overcome human pride. It's possible, and the most flattering explanation, but it seems more likely that he was forced out by a revolt from donors and the rest of the party leadership. He ma…
Like another commenter, I thought this was a lovely, meaningful, sensitive piece, but I'm not sure I agree with your characterization of Biden having overcome human pride. It's possible, and the most flattering explanation, but it seems more likely that he was forced out by a revolt from donors and the rest of the party leadership. He made a point of emphasizing in his Oval Office address that he thinks he's done great, is doing great, and deserves to be reelected without any acknowledgement that he's lost a step or what legitimately alarmed people about his debate performance.
Biden had to concede a little weakness about himself, if privately, to bow out as he did. The isolation of Rehoboth allowed him space to reflect and realize he wasn't up to the challenge to defeat Trump. Part of his realization was surely due to that party revolt, but he had to make the decision himself. And that meant swallowing pride. He just didn't let us see it when he gave his speech unfortunately. Likely politics outweighed moral leadership here because he wants to finish out his term and not be subject to the 25th amendment. Though that's not stopping some people from pushing the issue.
Speaking as someone who's been involved with some big PR rollouts, the coordinated professionalism of the Kamala rollout alongside Joe's very carefully crafted speech suggests that the decision had been made and that wheels had been turning for many days, perhaps even weeks, before the formal announcement was made. Winston Churchill said that the truth has to travel with a bodyguard of lies, so I don't expect the public will ever get a definitive account of what actually happened.
Pretty sure no one can *force* him to bow out. So at a certain point, he had to have made the decision, and overcame his pride to do so. What we don't know is if he actually came to accept that he was no longer fit to be re-elected, or if he simply was convinced that he couldn't win.
Like another commenter, I thought this was a lovely, meaningful, sensitive piece, but I'm not sure I agree with your characterization of Biden having overcome human pride. It's possible, and the most flattering explanation, but it seems more likely that he was forced out by a revolt from donors and the rest of the party leadership. He made a point of emphasizing in his Oval Office address that he thinks he's done great, is doing great, and deserves to be reelected without any acknowledgement that he's lost a step or what legitimately alarmed people about his debate performance.
Biden had to concede a little weakness about himself, if privately, to bow out as he did. The isolation of Rehoboth allowed him space to reflect and realize he wasn't up to the challenge to defeat Trump. Part of his realization was surely due to that party revolt, but he had to make the decision himself. And that meant swallowing pride. He just didn't let us see it when he gave his speech unfortunately. Likely politics outweighed moral leadership here because he wants to finish out his term and not be subject to the 25th amendment. Though that's not stopping some people from pushing the issue.
Speaking as someone who's been involved with some big PR rollouts, the coordinated professionalism of the Kamala rollout alongside Joe's very carefully crafted speech suggests that the decision had been made and that wheels had been turning for many days, perhaps even weeks, before the formal announcement was made. Winston Churchill said that the truth has to travel with a bodyguard of lies, so I don't expect the public will ever get a definitive account of what actually happened.
This article was very helpful. I linked to it in an earlier draft of my piece.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/21/us/politics/biden-withdrawal-timeline.html
Pretty sure no one can *force* him to bow out. So at a certain point, he had to have made the decision, and overcame his pride to do so. What we don't know is if he actually came to accept that he was no longer fit to be re-elected, or if he simply was convinced that he couldn't win.