The Electability Enigma
We all want it, but we’re not really sure what it is.
by Eric C. Peterson
Much has been made of the “most diverse ever” roster of Democrats vying for their party’s nomination in the 2020 Presidential election. A record number of women, people of color, and the first-ever openly gay candidate are all competing for the chance to take on Donald Trump, which means that we’ve got choices.
And yet, despite all of the options before us, there seems to be only one thing we want: “electability.”
And it’s understandable, isn’t it? Donald Trump is a national nightmare, a stain on Presidential history, and anathema to anyone who looks to their nation’s leaders to be role models of decency, integrity, patriotism, honesty, and service. After Hillary Clinton’s crushing electoral defeat (she still got more votes, and yes, I’m still mad about it), it’s predictable and probably wise to decide that the most important quality we can ask for is the ability to not only win, but to win decisively.
When Joe Biden entered the race on April 25, he immediately assumed front-runner status, and it was for one simple reason: he was widely seen as the most “electable.” His most ardent supporters point to his experience: 28 years in the U.S. Senate, and another 8 as Barack Obama’s Vice President. I believe it would also be foolish to ignore some other facets of Joe Biden that make him seem “electable” — in the most diverse slate of candidates in Presidential history, he’s a straight white man — he looks a lot more like what we’re used to seeing a President look like. And after the Democrats made history by nominating the first-ever woman to lead a Presidential ticket and lost, most of us are willing to make history later, and do the safe thing now.
The only other straight white man in the race with a comparable résumé and easy name recognition is Bernie Sanders, who proudly wears the mantle of “socialist,” which immediately makes him a lot less “safe” to many Democrats who still feel the sting of 2016. Bernie’s numbers have been slipping ever since Biden (officially) entered the picture; by all accounts, Joe Biden is our “safe bet.”
But I look at “electability” a little differently. First of all, we should all start by admitting that no one knows what electability is. After all, the current occupant of the Oval Office is a vulgar reality TV star with two ex-wives, one overactive Twitter feed, and zero government experience before taking the top job. So my take on “electability” is mostly a shot in the dark, just like everybody else’s.
But here’s one thing I think I know for sure: in 2020, we’re battling an incumbent. That’s a scary thing, because incumbents usually win (but again, nothing means anything anymore, so we have no reason to let the trends of the past dictate our present choices). But going up against an incumbent has one distinct advantage: we already know who our competition is.
And here’s the other thing I think I know for sure: once the primary is over, it’s over — and it doesn’t matter if Joe Biden is more electable than Bernie Sanders, or if Sanders is more electable than Sen. Warren, or if anyone else is more electable than Mayor Pete. If it means anything at all, “electability” is the ability to defeat one man: Donald Trump.
Given that, it makes sense to me that the most “electable” candidate we can put forward is one who provides the most contrast to Donald Trump.
Therefore, if Donald Trump is a serial liar (he is), we need someone who is honest. If Donald Trump is a con man who surrounds himself with sycophants (he is), we need someone with integrity. If Donald Trump has no regard for institutional norms (he doesn’t), we need someone who respects the office and wants to restore dignity to the Presidency.
Luckily, I believe we have many candidates, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders included, who meet these criteria. And, there are other things to consider.
If Donald Trump is a peevish bully who rage-tweets on the toilet whenever things don’t go his way (he is), we need someone who speaks and acts carefully. If Donald Trump is a toxic narcissist who can’t give himself a grade lower than “A+” nor admit to a single fault (he is), we need someone with the ability to evolve, but also someone with the ability to take accountability for past mistakes and describe in plain language how they will change. Finally, if Trump is in a state of mental decline (and honestly, I can’t say that for sure, but it sure looks that way from here), then we need someone who is up to the demands, pressures, and stresses of the job.
And when I take a look at those criteria, I’m not sure that Joe Biden is the most electable candidate we have. On the topic of speaking and acting carefully, Biden is famous for his gaffes. Simply put, he steps in it — a lot.
On the topic of apologies, he had a wonderful opportunity just recently to take true accountability for the way he handled the confirmation of Clarence Thomas, particularly the decisions he made with regard to Anita Hill, who accused Thomas of sexual harassment. For those who don’t remember the 1991 hearings, Biden was widely criticized, mostly from the left, for the way he handled those hearings, particularly for not allowing Angela Wright (who had a similar story to tell about Clarence Thomas) or experts on the topic of sexual harassment to testify, supposedly to preserve the “decency” of the process. Sadly, his prudishness led to the elevation of a thoroughly indecent man to the nation’s highest court — and to this day, he can’t seem to admit that he made a single mistake, even with expert coaching from Joy Behar.
Finally, and I feel a pang of guilt even bringing this up … but being President ages people. It’s a tough job. If Joe Biden is elected President, he will be 78 years old when he takes office. If he is re-elected, he will be 86 when he leaves office. I’m not suggesting anything about Joe Biden’s current physical health or mental fitness, but I am saying that a lot can happen to anyone who isn’t President between the ages of 78 and 86.
All in all, what I guess I’m saying is that perhaps a gaffe-prone man who is hesitant to admit he’s wrong is perhaps not our greatest opportunity to provide a deep contrast with Donald Trump. To be clear — I’m not suggesting for a moment that Joe Biden is the same as Trump, a petulant and bigoted authoritarian who obstructs justice, flirts with fascism, alienates our allies, and coddles our enemies. And while it should go without saying, if Biden is our nominee, he will enjoy my enthusiastic support.
But if the most electable candidate is someone who is not only honest, ethical, and dignified, but also someone who chooses their words with precision, takes accountability for past mistakes, and has many good years ahead of them, perhaps the most electable candidate isn’t Joe Biden.
It seems pretty clear to me that the most electable candidate we have is Kamala Harris.