A recent letter from a coalition of activists and religious leaders is calling for the Democratic Party to respect the democratic process regarding President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. The letter, provided to Religion News Service, expresses concern over efforts within the party to undermine established nomination processes in favor of alternative candidates.
Key Points:
- Signatories and Support: The letter is endorsed by notable figures such as Rev. William Barber of the Poor People’s Campaign, LaTosha Brown of the Black Voters Matter Fund, Rev. Freddie Haynes, and Rev. Mark Thompson. They argue that the pressure on Biden to step aside is both undemocratic and unfair.
- Criticism of Recent Actions: The signers criticize recent moves within the party that aim to replace Biden, particularly following a poorly received debate performance. They view these efforts as a threat to democratic norms and argue that replacing a candidate based on polling or donor pressure undermines the process.
- Respect for the Process: The letter emphasizes that if Biden were to withdraw, the party should automatically nominate Vice President Kamala Harris. It criticizes any attempt to bypass Harris or nominate an alternative candidate, stating that the vice presidency is the constitutional successor in such situations.
- Debate Performance and Age: While acknowledging Biden’s age and debate performance issues, the letter asserts that age alone should not disqualify a candidate. It also criticizes the focus on individual performance rather than on policy issues that matter to voters.
- Democratic Process and Inclusivity: The authors argue that the process for choosing a presidential candidate should not be influenced by wealthy donors or polling trends. Instead, it should be determined by democratic mechanisms and primary voters.
- Support from Progressive Democrats: The letter aligns with the views of other Democrats who support Biden, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who argue that Biden, despite imperfections, is the best candidate to advance progressive policies.
- Barber’s Defense: Rev. Barber has publicly defended Biden, drawing analogies from religious and historical figures who overcame personal challenges to advocate for justice.
Conclusion
The letter reflects a broader debate within the Democratic Party about the future of Biden’s candidacy and the party’s commitment to democratic norms. It calls for respect for established processes and highlights the importance of focusing on issues rather than individual performance metrics.
