………Why do I write? Because it allows me to express myself in a way is far better than talking. That’s because being a “wordsmith” means I ponder every word…..think about whether there is a better word…..or if it’s the right word to convey what I mean. By the time this column gets to you, it’s a product of my mind going through several iterations of what I want to say. Heck, sometimes I’ve started out writing about an issue and by the time I’m done, I’ve talked myself out of my original position.
……Except now. There are no words to adequately describe what is happening in our country’s political realm. Rage is one word that describes the anger felt by a portion of the population. Fear is another. But. thinking of FDR’s famous “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” quote, I prefer to label what many of us are feeling is concern, deep concern. Enough concern that we need to see if there is a solution to removing or convincing a President that he is obviously is not up to the monumental job ahead in the next four years.
…….And, so high thinker that I am (my late husband, Bill Kiefer, was a scholar who read realms about the beginnings of Christianity and the formation of various government in the middle ages, while I was devouring my Bible, “Politico” and “The Hill” like the low level pragmatist that I am. The fact that I can chuckle about our dichotomy in reading material now, must mean that sometimes grief takes a holiday.”
…..I so I found an article about the process the Democrats would need to undertake to throw Biden off the ticket if he does not withdraw. The author was Elaine Kamark, a longtime member of the Democratic Rules Committee who literally wrote the book about how primaries and conventions work.
……I never went to a Democratic convention, but it conjured up visions of smoke filled back rooms and dirty deals. According to Kamark we’re way past that now, mostly because there are no party bosses, (I remember a time long ago when you had to go to Democratic Party Chairman Dick Wright to get permission to run for office. I also remember as recent as 30 years ago when a Governor was told he didn’t come into Hancock County without making a phone call to one individual.) But to have a contested convention, you need more than one candidate actually contesting the convention,
….If Biden decides to drop out, he should do so soon, and let the party come together around Vice President Harris or whomever he endorses. Convention planning is already going on and they are working on the Democratic platform. Remember that in addition to selecting a Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate, the convention is also charged with adopting the party’s platform.
……As you are reading this, Biden’s campaign is calling the 4,000 delegates to the convention to see if would stick with the President. Remember many of the delegates are themselves elected officials all the way from US Senators to State Senators. They are going to reflect the opinion of their constituency, because they want to get re-elected. I predict the majority are bailing on Biden.
……..How does a candidate for President put his/her name in nomination? You need 300 to 600 signatures of delegates to the convention to put your name on a roll call. The nominee would then select a vice presidential candidate who would have to be voted on by the 4,000 delegates.
………Will it come to that? I hope not. I hope Biden’s campaign comes back with a report that Biden no longer has sufficient support of the delegates. . All politicians have egos that may prevent them from facing reality, but I think these numbers will dictate whether he steps down. Neither he nor his wife, Jill, can dispute the numbers.
……..Will the Democratic convention in any way resemble the 1968 bloodbath in Chicago? I don’t think so. That was a protest about a predominantly male controlled convention making decisions in back rooms (and I bet they were smoking cigars) over an issue. The Democratic party has done a good job in increasing diversity among their delegates. and this is about one man’s ability to lead.
