New York Times opinion columnist Maureen Dowd penned an article on Saturday, characterizing the Democratic Party’s decision to replace President Joe Biden as their nominee in the upcoming election as a “coup,” despite the renewed excitement it has generated.
Dowd acknowledged that the decision to replace Biden was necessary, arguing that he was unlikely to campaign effectively or complete another term in office. She pointed out the dramatic shift in the party’s convention plans, which initially expected Biden as the nominee. Instead, the focus has shifted to a sense of optimism with Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic candidate.
In her column, Dowd highlighted the swift change among Democrats who once supported Biden but later conspired to remove him from the race. She described how many of these Democrats had to admit on cable news that they had been unable to reach the president, who was reportedly withdrawn.
“Democrat after Democrat who had been close to Biden before conspiring to push him out had to confess to cable anchors that they had not been able to talk to the president, who was sulking in his tent,” she wrote.
Dowd also discussed the influential figures within the Democratic Party who were instrumental in the push for Biden to step aside, including Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and former President Barack Obama.
“The president already resented Obama for shoving him aside for Hillary, and he resented Hillary for squandering that opportunity and losing to Trump. Even though Obama tried to do everything quietly to protect his saintly status, Joe was furious that Obama was sidelining him twice,” Dowd said.
She further claimed that party leaders had “whitewashed the coup by ornately extolling Biden,” noting how figures like James Clyburn praised Biden’s tenure even as he withdrew from the race.
Despite her critique of the process by which Biden was ousted, Dowd still suggested that party leaders should “be proud,” arguing that the decision likely saved the party from a devastating defeat.