Gretchen Whitmer, Kamala Harris, and President Biden are all being considered as potential Democratic nominees to beat Donald Trump in November. To gain insights on who is best positioned, six New York Times Opinion columnists were asked for their opinions on the matter. Let’s delve into what each columnist had to say.
Lydia Polgreen, an Opinion columnist for The New York Times, believes that it’s time for Joe Biden to step aside and thinks Kamala Harris would be the best replacement. Despite not making it far in the primaries, Polgreen argues that running in the primaries and running in the general election are two distinct challenges. She points out that the primary environment involves competing against peers within the party and that factors like gender and race can greatly influence perception. However, in a general election against Donald Trump, who is a unique kind of politician, these dynamics may shift.
Nicholas Kristof believes that Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan would be a strong contender to lead the Democratic ticket. Ross Douthat suggests Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia as a potential nominee. Pamela Paul puts forth Governor Wes Moore of Maryland as her choice. David French advocates for Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Lastly, Charles Blow shares his thoughts on President Biden’s position in the race.
Each columnist brings a different perspective to the table, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of various potential nominees. The decision on who should lead the Democratic ticket ultimately rests on a combination of electability, policy positions, and leadership qualities. As the election draws near, the Democratic Party will need to carefully consider which candidate is best suited to take on the challenge of defeating Donald Trump in November.
