The Post-Journal
JUL 6, 2024
ROLLAND KIDDER
One advantage of being old is that you have a long
memory. I still remember the first televised Presidential debate in 1960
between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
There were some policy issues debated like the United
States’ reaction to Chinese bombardment of two small islands, Quemoy and Matsu,
off the coast of China. Should the United States go to war to protect these
islands controlled by the Chinese Nationalist Government on Taiwan? There were
also exchanges as to the economy and the general direction of the country at
that time.
But, what was concluded from that first TV debate had
nothing to do with the substance of the debate–it was that John F. Kennedy had
more energy in the debate and Vice President Nixon looked tired and haggard.
Commentaries afterward did not focus on the issues debated but on how the
candidates looked and spoke. The general consensus was that Senator Kennedy had
won that debate.
Fast forward to June 27, 2024, and a similar conclusion
was rendered. People will not remember the issues that were discussed in the
Presidential debate or of how many lies and distortions were voiced. They will
remember that Donald Trump was “on top of his game,” was on the attack–and
President Biden spoke softly, often mumbling his responses. It was not a good
night for Joe Biden.
The independent voter, generally, after the debate, and
wishing for a better result, was probably asking: “Why didn’t the Democrats
come up with a younger, more energetic candidate?”
The answer to that, of course, is because of the power
of the Presidency. It is almost impossible in our political system for a
national political party to oppose its incumbent President. We have also seen
how the “power of incumbency” is even hard to battle if the candidate is a
once-defeated President. Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and a host of other
Republicans found it impossible to dislodge Donald Trump.
What now can the Democrats do? Unfortunately, because
of the political primary election system, the delegates to the Democratic
Convention are locked into supporting the candidate they supported in the
primary – Joe Biden. The only way that they could really desert him is if he
releases them and allows for an “open convention.”
In short, we are captive of a system in choosing our
Presidents which puts us in a political straitjacket. The old days of open
conventions where candidates were chosen freely by the delegates is no more.
Primary elections have displaced the discretion and candidate selection process
of the old convention days.
As of this writing, the Republicans, or at least the
MAGA Republicans, are having an early victory lap. It is still a long time
until November, but Joe Biden and Donald Trump won’t change much over that
time. If the election were held today, Donald Trump would likely be elected the
next President of the United States.
The best hope for Democrats is that Joe Biden, for the
good of the country and for the sake of his party, leaves the race and allows
the Democratic Convention nominate a candidate from a younger generation.
(Rolland Kidder is a former New York state Assemblyman and was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1980 and 1992.)
