Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker suggests a solution to voter concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and fitness for office: replacing Vice President Kamala Harris with Hillary Clinton on the ticket.
In an earlier piece this month, Parker argued that the possibility of Harris stepping in to complete a potential second term for Biden could be detrimental to the Democratic ticket in the upcoming November election. A Politico/Morning Consult poll from late May indicated only 40 percent of respondents believed Harris would be a good president, while 51 percent disagreed.
Her approval ratings, as reflected in FiveThirtyEight’s average, show a disapproval of 49 percent and approval of 39 percent, closely mirroring Biden’s 56 percent disapproval and 38 percent approval.
At 81, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history, surpassing Ronald Reagan, who was 77 when he left office in 1989. An ABC News/Ipsos poll from February showed that 86 percent of Americans consider Biden too old for a second term. Parker emphasizes that the issue isn’t merely Biden’s age but the visible decline in his physical and cognitive capabilities. She notes that even the most fit and mentally sharp 80-year-olds would struggle with the demands of the presidency, pointing to Biden’s recent struggles with stumbles and memory lapses as evidence of his decline.
To address this, Parker proposes bringing 76-year-old Clinton onto the ticket while finding a new role for Harris, such as Attorney General, leveraging her experience as California’s AG. Parker believes Clinton’s presence could provide reassurance to voters worried about Biden’s ability to serve another term, offering a steadying influence or a potential successor if needed. Despite potential reluctance from Clinton to re-enter politics, Parker argues that she might feel compelled if she believes her work is unfinished.
Recently, Clinton has been more visible, possibly positioning herself as an alternative should Biden falter or if Democrats decide to replace him at their convention in August. She endorsed George Latimer over Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York’s Democratic primary, taking a more centrist stance. Additionally, Clinton has a new book, “Something Lost, Something Gained,” set to release in September, just weeks before the election, in which she discusses politics, democracy, and future threats.
As the election approaches, the prospect of Clinton returning to a presidential ticket could make the race particularly intriguing.
