Sir, As US President, Joe Biden achieved more in his first term, with three landmark pieces of legislation, than most presidents achieve in two terms. His place in history is secure. But his decision not to stand for a second term is absolutely right, if somewhat late, and gives the Democratic Party a chance to find a new, and younger, Trump-vanquisher.
It’s an opportunity it may be about to miss. The party is coalescing around a single candidate, Kamala Harris. She may be the best available but what is the evidence? Her 2020 campaign for the nomination was a calamity: having started as favourite, she couldn’t articulate what she stood for, quickly ran out of support and money and withdrew before the first primary. And her term as vice-president, admittedly a thankless job, has been unremarkable.
What the Democrats need is not a coronation but a contest. They need to know if they have someone who can craft a speech as profound as the best of Obama’s. They need to know if they have a candidate who, like Bill Clinton, can speak to a town hall meeting and convince everyone in the audience, and the millions watching, that he is talking to each of them individually. They need a candidate who can hold Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Hence they should try something new: let’s call it a blitz primary. They should twist the arms of their best three candidates to declare and organise a handful of events at which these candidates would speak. They should then invite the 4,700 delegates to vote, announcing the winner at the party’s convention. It would swamp the airwaves and it might just capture the public’s attention. With Donald Trump as the alternative, Democrats would readily unite behind the winner. It’s their best chance.
Lord Darroch of Kew
British ambassador to the US 2016-19
Sir, Selecting Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for this year’s election would be the least divisive way for the party to proceed. It might also help to steady the frayed nerves of America’s free world allies, concerned at the prospect of a renewed Trump presidency. Harris would represent a “business as usual” approach to international affairs; a continuation of the conventional approach of the past four years. But lacking President Biden’s half-century worth of foreign policy knowledge does make Harris more of a wild card than the sitting president. US allies will need to learn more about her views before plumping for them over Trumpian tough love, which they may not have enjoyed but which has certainly improved the sharing of Nato’s financial burden.
Dr Alan Mendoza
Executive director, the Henry Jackson Society
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