Electing Two Presidents – Biden and Harris
In 1944, the American people went to the polls and elected two Presidents – although they did not know it at the time. Only the Democrat leaders at the time knew it. President Roosevelt was terminally ill when he was elected to a fourth term. Missouri Senator Harry Truman was selected to be the next President.
Is Vice President Harris scheduled to take over the presidency sometime between now and 2028?
Admittedly, there is a lot of difference between Roosevelt in 1944 and President Biden in 2023. Biden is not terminally ill – and has obvious vigor for a man his age. Also, medical care has vastly improved. We are all living longer and healthier lives.
However, … only 11 percent of American men will reach the age of 86 – Biden’s age at the end of a second term. (🡨 Read that again.) And that is the expectation if they are born today. For guys born in 1942 — like Biden – that number is lower.
Then there are the health issues. Almost no one reaches 86 without serious health issues – mental and physical. Some are manageable – others debilitating.
The Biden fans reacted in horror when former UN Ambassador and presidential candidate Nikki Haley suggested that Biden may not complete a second term. They accused her of saying he would be dead before the end of a second term.
Of course, that is not what she said – only that he may not complete a second term. He could die, be debilitated or resign. At his age, Haley’s suggestion is not an unreasonable conjecture.
There is also the issue of Biden resigning early in order to elevate Harris to the presidency –regardless of any health issues. It would be just the kind of history breaking move that Biden would like attached to his legacy.
So … is a vote for Biden a vote for a Harris presidency?
We cannot predict the future with certainty, but it is a distinct possibility. In fact, I personally rate it as better than a 50/50 chance.
I will also predict that the issue of Biden’s age and the potential of a Harris presidency will be a MAJOR issue on the minds of voters – and they both work against the reelection of the Biden/Harris team. I would argue that the fear of a Harris presidency may even be more of a factor than Biden’s age, in and of itself.
Biden is not a popular President, and Harris is viewed even less favorably. Her own presidential campaign crashed and burned on the launch pad. Her polling numbers have never been good. She has so far proven to be unaccomplished in the various tasks assigned to her – the border and voter rights, to name two. Her speeches have been bizarre at times.
And there is that cackle that bursts forth at inappropriate moments.
Democrats can claim all the criticism is because she is a woman … and Black. Those overused cards may not resonate with the voters this time. Virtually all the concern and disdain for Harris – and the fear of a Harris presidency – have nothing to do with gender or race. President Obama crushed the old canard that being Black is a barrier to the Oval Office. (Perhaps Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Muslims, and Jews should wonder why they have been left out of the presidential contests for the past 234 years. But I digress.)
The Harris Fear Factor may not play out in the headlines as much as the economy, abortion, crime, the drug epidemic, the border crisis, or the war in Ukraine, but it may have more impact on voting decisions than any of them. Given the actuarial statistics on aging, voters will have to want BOTH Biden and Harris as their President in order to cast a ballot for Biden.
Harris is such a threat to Biden’s reelection that we should not completely disregard a change in the second spot sometime in the next year.
So, there ‘tis.
This door may swing two ways, depending on whether Trump secures the nomination or not. I think we can all assume it will not be Pence. There is some thought that he may pick up a woman in order to garner more votes, but it’s Trump, who knows. Could be Ivanka for all we know.
What we do know is that the twice impeached, sex, abuser king of defamation, is still the leader of the Republication party. Even gay bashing, immigrant kidnapping, Disney wedding, voter fraud nothing sandwich, paper tiger Ron DeSantis has not announced running against him.
After his Town hall last night, not sure he can garner many more votes than his loyal fan base. Granted, that’s a sizable number, but not a good enough to take the presidency.
His CNN Town Hall display last night looked fairly unhinged. Tagged for defamation, he still goes after this woman. His followers convicted of seditious conspiracy, he suggest pardons. And, of course, he still firmly believes that he won the 2020 election. It almost appears that he is dipping into delusion. I think amongst most middle of the roaders, suburbanites, women, and those who favor the rule of law, he is burning bridges. The mere fact he used CNN speaks to a certain desperation.
Larry, Your story of course applies equally to Trump and whoever he picks as his running mate. Trump is in worse physical condition than Biden, so his slightly younger age should not ease anyone’s mind. Cognitively, he already appears worse than Biden, though he can definitely give a better speech, if you don’t look at the content. Alzheimer’s runs in trump’s family as well. So who will trump pick? My guess is his thin skin will not allow him to choose someone who is potentially qualified like Nikki Haley, so instead he will opt for someone like Kari Lake, who is more reviled than Kamala, but appears to be trying out for the position. You are correct, the VP choice does matter, particularly when the candidate is older. You only need look at McCain in 2008, who lost because he chose an idiot for his running mate…
Mikef … I probably should have included Trump’s potential VP pic. If he chooses someone as unacceptable to the majority of voters, the scales shift of bit. The only way to keep the Harris problem a factor is to pick someone more acceptable. As far as the relative health of Trump and Biden, I do think by all external observations. Trump comes across as more vital — both physically and menatally. But, I think there is an age consideration for both of them.
After last night’s town hall, I’m not so sure on that sanity part. At minimum, it was fodder to all pending prosecutions.
Larry, overweight and terrible diet, and trump is more healthy than Biden? When was the last time you saw trump on a bicycle or doing anything remotely resembling exercise? As far as the mental capability-do you ever hear trump speak? Of course much of his speech/writing problems are due to his low IQ, but he sound’s different than he did 7 years ago
I am still trying to remember the last time Trump SOLD AMERICA OUT LIKE BIDEN DID.
Do you not read what everyone thought , but now is being backed by FACT.
Nixon was impeached for far less.
Trump was impeached as a joke!
Biden has been selling this country out for decades.
Really, you wonder why so much money is going in Ukraine, or why Afghanistan withdrawal was a shit show.
Why Chinese Balloons fly over America, or nothing happens to BLM rioters, and he just looks at it like a fool.
The Border, WOKE ism, everything is a smoke screen.
He is keeping everyone’s attention on this while he Steals MILLIONS and buries all of us in debt.
You Frank should be the most appalled as he seems to be your guy.
Let me know how the knife in the back feels.
I do not intend in getting stuck with one soon.
Bad enough I am paying over $4.00 a gallon for gas while this dumb ass steals millions
with your help.
darrenn,
Nixon was never impeached, he had the moral fiber to resign.
Second Trump impeachment was rock solid, IMO.
there is no proof biden sold out country, just that family members made money just like many of trumps cronies
chinese balloons flew during trump
border bad that’s true, woke is good idea, imo.
Trump buried us in far, far, more debt than biden; 25% of the current debt is on trump’s watch
gas is $3.30 here, inflation is down, biden has much better gdp growth than trump who had the worst since hoover.
get some facts, man. quit smokin that stuff and get some facts.
THANK YOU DARRIN…100% TRUE!!! Obiden has killed a lot of Americans and nobody blinks an eye….starting with Afghanistan pullout!!!!
If the election of two presidents – Biden and Harris – is a double disaster, then the election of Michelle Obama and Gavin Newsom is already a fourfold disaster – this is the death of America!