Should Biden Step Down?

Spoiler: When your donor base writes Op-Eds urging you to step aside, don’t ignore them.

Even before the disastrous debate, many Americans were tired of the Biden-Trump rematch. Polls from late April showed voters were “broadly critical” of both candidates.

Biden, over the past few months, has faced opposition from the far left as well as the right, on issues from geopolitics to the economy. Inflation is high and quality of life is low. While the US has avoided an outright recession, the feeling of American prosperity and a brighter future is lacking.

Trump, while criticized after his convictions, has continued to galvanize a loyal voter base, which has dismissed the criminal case as a political witch hunt. He has made stark statements (as usual) about his plans for a second term, which many Republicans find extreme. Trump’s team is downplaying Project 2025 as a result.

Much is at stake. And we need to unpack the factors that have led to this mess. But it is not too late. Biden must step down. He has lost the trust of his user base and his current selling point is that he is not Trump. It will be difficult to rally fickle swing voters and youth voters, who will be needed to win a Democratic presidency.

There are many qualified candidates who are eager to make their mark. I have no doubt they will provide fresh thinking and policies. They may come with less baggage and be more effective in building bridges across the aisle.

If we look globally, Jacinda Ardern , the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, was elected under similar circumstances. She became the candidate weeks before the election. And voters were energized by the possibility of a new voice.

I would welcome some fresh perspectives at the highest level. Beyond that, I worry deeply that Biden is unelectable. The alternative will exacerbate America’s slide into populism.

Leaning into the unknown is scary. But if we could land a leader like Jacinda, I, for one, am willing to take the leap.