Democratic strategist Julian Epstein shared insights on Friday, highlighting the Democratic Party‘s challenges ahead of this year’s election following a recent debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
After securing primary victories earlier this year, Trump and Biden emerged as the respective frontrunners for the 2024 presidential race, potentially setting the stage for a rematch of the fiercely contested 2020 election. The duo engaged in the first presidential debate of this election cycle on Thursday, hosted by CNN in Georgia.
During the debate, as Biden and Trump clashed over key issues, both faced significant pressure, with polls indicating dissatisfaction among voters with their options. Concerns about the advanced age of Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, also loomed. Biden’s occasional lapses during the debate failed to allay these concerns, prompting some Democrats to consider replacing him as the nominee. However, there has been no clear indication of a potential replacement, and Biden’s campaign hasn’t hinted at stepping down.
Appearing on Fox News with host Brian Kilmeade, Epstein, a former Democratic chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, discussed Biden and the party’s current state, pinpointing two crucial issues.
“Right now, the party has two major problems. Around 70 to 80 percent of voters feel Biden shouldn’t run for president, based on what they saw last night. The surprise here is that elites seem disconnected from the views of the average voter,” Epstein stated candidly.
He continued, “The second issue is that the party has been overtaken by an extremely left-wing ideology that brooks no dissent. This intolerance has fostered groupthink, enabling Democratic officials and mainstream media to prop up the notion that Biden is fit for the role. The party’s shift to the left on various issues needs addressing. In my view, the party not only needs a new candidate but also a move towards the political center.”
Biden and his team have been proactive in addressing concerns about his age. In a campaign ad released in March, Biden acknowledged his age, emphasizing his ability to deliver results for the American people. He listed notable achievements from his first term, such as passing a major infrastructure bill, tackling prescription drug costs, capping insulin prices for seniors, and spearheading the U.S. pandemic recovery efforts.
Epstein’s critique of the Democratic Party echoes previous remarks. The party’s reluctance to address concerns about Biden’s candidacy was highlighted in his 2023 op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, titled “Democrats Fear the Truth About Biden’s 2024 Presidential Run.”
Various Democratic figures have been suggested as last-minute replacements for the party’s nominee, including Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former First Lady Michelle Obama, a name often raised by Republicans in anticipation of the election.
When asked if Democrats would fare better with Harris or Newsom, Epstein dismissed both, endorsing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a more suitable choice.
“Kamala’s popularity is low, and despite multiple appearances, she hasn’t made a strong impact. Newsom might appeal to some voters, but many see him as superficial and lacking substance. Shapiro, with his centrist approach and support for school choice, seems like a stronger candidate,” Epstein asserted.