Why Not?

Well, the Biden press conference performance was better than the debate. Faint praise indeed. “Vice President Trump” was gaffe grande and Biden seemed to not notice. He did, slowly, recognize that he referred to someone else as Commander in Chief. 

Some Pollyannas in the punditry gave high marks to his command of foreign policy. I found his rambling digressions unbearable, but he did understand some questions. I fail to grasp how any objective person found his performance reassuring. 

My opinion is neither unique nor important, but there is a dimension to this debacle that I’ve not seen explicated elsewhere.

However fit or unfit, however fair or unfair, the mere fact of the raging debate renders him unelectable. The Trump campaign now has a Blockbuster catalogue of video clips of prominent and influential Democrats calling their own candidate unfit. This on top of a smaller catalogue of videos clips of Biden proving himself unfit. Even George Clooney has spoken, which is as close to Godlike as Biden will likely hear.

 If Biden doesn’t step aside or get dragged off the stage with a Democratic hook, we are doomed, barring a Trump health catastrophe. (This is among the few times in my life that I regret my lack of belief in the power of prayer.)

The replacement derby is already well underway. The bulk of speculation swirls around Harris. Is she polling better than Biden against Trump? Will Black folks sit on their hands come November if she’s passed over? Can she be a better candidate than during her primary run? (Not a Herculean leap.) 

James Carville has proposed a semi-bizarre process that resembles America’s Got Talent, hosted by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Some Democratic operatives love the idea of an open convention. Others fear chaos.

Beyond Harris, the list is ample: Gavin Newsome, Gretchen Whitmer, Andy Beshear, J.B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro . . . even an anti-Trump Republican or two. There’s much to commend each option, although conventional wisdom places Newsome on the sidelines, as, well, you know, California.

Whitmer has favorable odds in the early betting. A white woman would be nice if the Black woman is jilted. 

Shapiro is a Jew. A Jew would be nice if the white woman and the Black woman are jilted. 

Beshear is popular and uncontroversial, which would be nice if the white woman, the Black woman and the Jew are jilted.

Pritzker is filthy rich, which would be nice if . . . you get the point.

But why is one name conspicuously missing from the list? 

Pete Buttigieg.

My wise wife disagrees with me, but this rapidly regressing nation is not ready for a gay president. We are “readier” for a Black woman, a white woman, or a Jewish man. (We’ve always been ready for filthy rich men, but Pritzker is not really in the mix.)

But not a gay man.

Buttigieg was the most compelling candidate in the 2020 primaries. He is brilliant, lucid, and can explicate complex issues in compelling prose. He carries himself with confident dignity. He has a sense of humor and agile intellect. He could slice through Trump’s nonsense like rapier wit through blubber. 

My wishes will make nothing so. But a guy can still wish.

It would be mighty righteous to elect President Buttigieg. I would love to see his lovely marriage fill the White House with joy. And imagine the apoplexy in the Supreme Court when the marriage they try to outlaw is that of the President and the First Gentleman! 

The MAGAverse is comprised of virulent homophobes. Their racism and misogyny are bad enough, but at least they recognize Black folks and women as human, albeit with fewer rights. 

Electing a woman, especially a Black woman, would be a marvelous rebuke to the Republican platform and the truly frightening Project 2025. 

But Mayor Pete! That would shove their Project 2025 back to the Dark Ages, where it belongs. Or, equally fine, to somewhere else where the sun don’t shine.