SABIT – In a column published in the New York Times, renowned columnist Maureen Dowd calls Biden’s expressed, her controversial view on President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
Dowd referred to the move as a “putsch” or coup, which she believes was orchestrated behind the scenes by influential leaders within the Democratic Party.
Biden’s announcement of his withdrawal at the end of July came after weeks of speculation and pressure from top Democrats.
In her column, Dowd wrote, “Although it was the right thing to do, because Joe Biden would not have been able to campaign, let alone serve as president for another four years in a fully vital way, it was a jaw-dropping putsch.”
Pressure from Top Democrats of Maureen Dowd Calls Biden’s
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race is strongly suspected to have been driven by pressure from key figures within the Democratic Party.
Names such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer are frequently mentioned as those behind the effort to persuade Biden not to continue his second presidential campaign. However, they have firmly denied any involvement in what has been described as a “coup” to remove Biden.
In the weeks leading up to the withdrawal announcement, Biden reportedly received numerous advisories from his inner circle warning that continuing his campaign could jeopardize the Democratic Party’s chances in the upcoming election.
For Dowd, this decision seemed to be more than just prudent advice; it was a strategic move by “Democratic mandarins” to protect the party from an embarrassing defeat.
“At some point, when the polls cratered, Democratic mandarins decided to put the welfare of the party — and the country — ahead of the president’s ego, and stop catering to his self-regarding fantasy that he was the only one who could beat Donald Trump,” Dowd wrote.
Fractures Within the Democratic Party: Maureen Dowd Calls Biden’s
Dowd also highlighted the internal tensions within the Democratic Party following Biden’s withdrawal.
Although the announcement marked a significant step for the party, particularly in preparing a new candidate to challenge Donald Trump, there is dissatisfaction among Biden’s supporters and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Pelosi, one of the figures reportedly behind the coup, was said to feel “sheepish” about her role in pushing Biden to step down.
Dowd described Pelosi as “one of the most ruthless and successful tacticians in congressional history”
who appeared conflicted about whether to take credit for the decision. In her column, Dowd even speculated about Biden’s feelings towards Pelosi, writing, “Et tu, Nancy? Biden must have thought.”
Despite the apparent fracturing of the relationship between Biden and Pelosi, Pelosi has continued to praise Biden on several occasions.
In a recent statement, Pelosi even suggested that Biden deserved to be enshrined on Mount Rushmore, a symbolic honor reflecting his contributions to the country.
However, the tensions extend beyond Biden and Pelosi. Dowd noted that Kamala Harris, who was immediately endorsed by Biden to replace him as the presidential candidate, is also facing dissatisfaction.
According to Dowd, Harris is displeased with the fact that Obama, Pelosi, and Schumer hesitated to support her directly, as they hoped to see more moderate rivals compete in the primaries.
Public Reaction and the Future of the Democrats
Biden’s withdrawal from the race has sparked various reactions from the public and political analysts.
Many view the move as a necessary step to save the Democratic Party from a potential defeat if Biden had continued his campaign.
However, there are also concerns that the manner of Biden’s withdrawal, particularly if indeed influenced by party leaders, raises questions about the democracy within the party itself.
Ron Klain, Biden’s former chief of staff, is among those who disagreed with the way Biden was forced to step down.
In an interview with CNN, Klain said that the action was “wrong” and argued that Biden had fairly secured the nomination through the democratic process and was determined to win the White House again.
Nevertheless, Dowd concluded that the decision to push Biden out was in the best interest of the party and the country.
“Those who pushed out Biden should be proud,” she wrote. “They saved him and their party from a likely crushing defeat, letting Trump snake back in and soil democracy.”
Amidst the tension and speculation, the Democratic Party now faces a significant challenge in preparing for the upcoming election.
With Kamala Harris as the primary candidate, support from senior party figures will be crucial in determining the Democrats‘ fate in the 2024 election.
How they handle this transition will be a crucial test for the unity and strength of the Democratic Party moving forward.
