“After Biden Withdraws”

 

When Biden ran for the Presidency four years ago, he called himself a transformational President, paving the way for a new generation of Democratic leaders. The implication was a one-term Presidency.

 

Well, times change. It seems that humble Joe Biden has a bigger ego than we thought. Either he believes that he is the only one who can beat Trump, or he just believes that he can do it again, forgetting that we never can step into the same stream twice. The water, and time, flows on.

 

This time around, his candidacy is weak. He is perceived as too old. He is not getting credit for his accomplishments. His lack of sympathy for Palestinians is costing support among the young, the progressives, and the Arab-American community. There is a perceptible enthusiasm gap from four years ago. In short, I believe that there is a good chance that he will lose. The stakes are too high for this to happen.

 

What to do? The Party is united behind him. Perhaps some external pressure is needed. So, a modest proposal.

 

When asked for donations for any Democratic candidate or PAC, we can reply: “After Biden withdraws.” Withholding donations now will not compromise the campaigns later, but it will send a signal that a leadership change is needed.

 

Call me crazy, but the stakes are very high...

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Monday, 5 Feb 24

 

 

An Unequal Relationship

 

In 2018, Jamal Kashoggi was assassinated by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Consulate in Instanbul, Turkey. The CIA soon concluded that the murder was ordered by Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In December 2018, Congress tried but failed to suspend military aid to Saudi Arabia. Later, President Biden declared in 2022 that bin Salman was protected from legal action by sovereign immunity. Many have suspected that continuing U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia was a factor in our ineffective response to the assassination.

 

In 2014, Houthi rebels backed by Shiite Iran began a war against the Sunni Yemeni government. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states intervened to support the government. The U.S. sided with the Saudis. The U.S. also has long been active in Yemen, striking Al-Qaeda forces many times. However, President Biden halted support for Saudi offensive actions in Yemen, while still providing arms to the area.

 

This April, Saudi Arabia and other major producers announced over a one million barrel a day production cut, instead of the production increase desired by the U.S. No formal U.S. action has followed this announcement.

 

Around the same time, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they were resuming diplomatic relations, at a meeting in Beijing with China as the mediator. The U.S. was left out of this process, but officially welcomed the development, while expressing skepticism over Iran’s behavior to come.

 

Saudi Arabia remains an absolute monarchy. Historically, the U.S. has provided arms to the Saudis, expecting favorable decisions on oil production, and political support for U.S foreign policies.

 

It seems clear that this expectation is obsolete. The Saudis no longer feel obligated to follow the U.S. lead, killing Kashoggi, intervening in Yemen, decoupling oil production from U.S. interests, and building new ties to China, all with little consequence.

 

Indeed, what could or should the U.S. do on Saudi Arabia, without harming itself? Another sign of declining U.S. influence in the world?

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Sunday, 16 Apr 23

 

Opinion: Delusional Dems

 

For some time, I have been observing that the democratic leadership is well past its prime, and far too conservative. Pelosi was many good things, but not at all an effective communicator. Schumer, too. The Democratic National Committee has resisted promoting new younger leaders, especially if they might be progressives. In fact, it is DNC policy to protect incumbents from primary challenges by newcomers. Not exactly “let the people decide.”

 

In Virginia, the party chose Terry McAuliffe to run again for Governor. He lost. In Florida, the party chose former Governor Charlie Christ to run again. He lost, too.

 

Which takes us to President Biden. It appears that he wants to run for a second term. By most measures he has been extremely effective, with many positive accomplishments. On the other hand, he is over 80, walking old, and looking old.

 

If the Republicans nominate anyone other than Trump, they will make age an issue in the campaign. They will tout a new generation of leadership. They will win.

 

Democrats may believe that Biden would defeat Trump a second time. They may believe that he would defeat another Republican because of his long list of accomplishments. I believe that these are delusions. Merit does not often win Presidential elections. And Biden’s age is a real issue.

 

From a progressive perspective, Biden’s move to a new cold war with China is a mistake. His opening of Alaska and the Gulf to new oil drilling is a violation of his campaign pledge, environmentally destructive, and counter to the need to reduce climate change. His failure to reinstate the Iran nuclear deal is a missed opportunity. Not every Democrat will be an enthusiastic Biden voter. Turnout will determine the election, and we will need much enthusiasm.

 

For too long the President and the DNC have refused to publicize and promote its many outstanding newer generation of leaders. They need opportunities to speak on a national platform. Instead it is Biden all the time.

 

Clinton came from “nowhere.” Obama came from “nowhere.” I think we can’t afford to wait for an unknown savior to rise up from obscurity to the Presidency. Biden needs to “retire” graciously. We urgently must promote new leadership proactively, then see who rises to the top. The time to pass the torch is NOW.

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Saturday, 1 Apr 23