Joe Biden’s recent performance at Thursday’s debate has left many Democrats concerned and panicking. Twitter was flooded with devoted Democrats expressing their worries about his discombobulated performance. Countless pundits and headlines have expressed disappointment, with some even calling for him to step down. The New York Times editorial board wrote an article titled “To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race,” while The Atlantic stated that Biden needs to step aside for the sake of his own dignity, his party, and the future of the country.
Despite the criticism and calls for Biden to resign, it seems unlikely that he will drop out of the race. Biden’s spokespeople have been working overtime to reassure reporters that he is not considering dropping out. According to the Daily Beast, they have been sending multiple texts to reporters emphasizing this point. Speculation about potential replacements for Biden is just “fantasy baseball” at this point, with names like Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigeg, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries being thrown around behind the scenes.
However, it is important to do a reality check. Despite the concerns and disappointment surrounding Biden’s debate performance, there is currently no viable plan B for the Democratic Party. Biden is still the nominee, and donors understand the stakes of the upcoming election. They will not be jumping ship and staying home. Instead, they will be attending fundraisers in the Hamptons this weekend to ensure that Biden is engaged, energized, and mobilized.
These fundraisers will be crucial for Biden to reassure donors and show that he is resetting his campaign. He needs to give them a sense of confidence that he is up to the job of defeating Donald Trump. One event will be hosted by billionaire hedge funder Barry Rosenstein and his wife Lizanne, with co-hosts including Broadway producer Stacey Mindich and several celebrities. Another event will be hosted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Avram Glazer and his wife, Jill, with tickets reportedly selling for $100,000 each.
At these fundraisers, donors will not be simply cheering Biden on; they will be taking his pulse and doing a blood pressure check. The pressure is on for Biden to prove himself and reassure people that he is the only game in town. Donors may be upset and concerned, but there is no viable alternative at the moment. Biden’s performance may have been disappointing, but the specter of Donald Trump winning is a unifying force for Democrats. Donors understand the stakes, and they know that Biden is their best chance at defeating Trump.
In conclusion, while Joe Biden may have had a disastrous performance at Thursday’s debate, he is not likely to drop out of the race. Instead, he will be attending fundraisers in the Hamptons to reassure donors and show that he is up to the job of defeating Donald Trump. Despite the criticism and calls for him to step aside, there is currently no viable plan B for the Democratic Party. Donors understand the stakes and will continue to support Biden because they know what is at stake.
