NOT HER AGAIN — The Weekly Opine

Too many wrong moves by President Biden will end the election-season match before it gets started. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Seriously?

Among the most unsettling news, regarding the 2024 election, was recently learning the Biden campaign brought on Hillary Clinton to serve as a surrogate to President Biden. (My understanding of “surrogate” is someone who acts in place of another person, serving as a substitute.)

This pours gasoline on the questions that fuel the narrative, based on visual reality, that Biden is mentally and physically unable to handle the rigors of everything that comes with campaigning again for the presidency.

The appearance of Hillary Clinton also raises questions about motives and would seem to, at least partially, undercut Vice President Kamala Harris’ standing.

Out of touch

The decision to engage Clinton with Biden’s campaign is perplexing. As reported by NBC News, Clinton will be one of the president’s “most prominent and influential surrogates” during the 2024 campaign. On cue, in recent weeks, Clinton has written op-eds and made television appearances. To now foist Hillary upon voters in an official capacity is troubling (and could create more problems for Biden’s flagging campaign).

The opposite of progressive, Biden joining forces with Hillary Clinton is regressive.

If Biden intends to remain in the White House he must make better personnel decisions. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The overriding question is why? Why would anyone hellbent, a.k.a. serious about winning the 2024 presidential election look to the rear and resurrect a former presidential candidate who lost twice? Someone who, despite being called the most qualified presidential candidate in our history (by President Obama in 2016), lost to the most unqualified presidential candidate in American history.

If memory serves, Hillary Clinton ran a smug campaign led by strategists and advisors ensconced in an echo-chamber that drowned out the reality of what was happening on the ground in rural Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other battleground states. Consequently, because of the Clinton campaign’s tone deafness regarding blue collar voters, we ended up with Trump.

Furthermore, the name Clinton, whether connected to Bill or Hillary, is still polarizing among some Democrats and Independents. And the Clinton name, even in a surrogate role, will surely stimulate greater GOP/MAGA enthusiasm (financial donations and participation at the polls).

Hillary’s presence could easily inflame right-wing conspiracy zealots. For example, conspiracists might conclude that after the election Hillary Clinton would replace Harris as VP, and eventually become president when Biden can no longer fulfill his duties. (Even sane Democrats are skeptical about the likelihood Biden can handle four more years.)

Among the key voters Democrats need to inspire, in order to defeat the Republican Confederate/autocracy/fascism platform, several groups could become more discontent at the sight of Hillary Clinton. An unpopular president hiring an unpopular former presidential candidate makes zero sense.

Apparently, no one was listening in November 2017 when The Weekly Opine opined “Time’s Up Hillary.” (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Inadvertently helping Trump win in 2016, many Blacks chose to stay home. They were still seething over perceived and actual racist dog whistles employed by the Clinton campaign when she ran for president (and lost) against Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary. So, why pick at old scabs by inviting Clinton to the party? As it stands now, Biden’s support among Blacks is down from 87 percent in 2020 to 63 percent in 2024, according to a recent USA Today poll. Hillary will not reverse those numbers.

Young voters, exhausted by Democrats trotting out political relics such as the 76-year-old Clinton (and the 81-year-old Biden), could turn to shiny objects such as Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. Again, why tempt fate? As it stands, Trump leads Biden 37 to 33 percent among voters under the age of 35.

And women, after Democrat’s success in recent mid-term elections, are being counted on to provide a tsunami wave of votes. Will some reachable Republican women reject the idea of Hillary influencing Campaign Biden? While not exactly Slick Willy, Mrs. Clinton has been known to possess some of Bill’s slippery qualities.

Biden has lost support among Hispanic voters, too, trailing Trump 39 to 34 percent. Furthermore, the American Muslim “Abandon Biden” movement is protesting Biden’s refusal to demand a permanent stop to the war in Gaza. And abortion rights women and the LGBTQ community plan to protest against Biden at the Democratic convention.

Democrats have plenty of aces. Will they play the right cards? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Fully stocked

With a loaded roster of talent, Democrats do not need Hillary Clinton to win the 2024 election. She brings little, if anything, that will stem the erosion of Biden’s support among the groups mentioned above.

Conversely, on Capitol Hill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is the kind of talent who can connect with Blacks, Hispanics, women, youth, Muslims and LGBTQ constituents. Jeffries, at age 53, is whip-smart, deeply well-versed on myriad issues, and is a magnetic, eloquent and persuasive speaker. Considering how little legislative work the Republican-led House accomplishes these days, Jeffries should have ample time to assist Biden with motivating Democrat and Independent voters. Also in the House, 42-year-old Jasmine Crockett (D-Tex.) is sharp, sharp-witted and a breath of fresh air without being off-putting like The Squad can sometimes be.

Over in the Senate, Raphael Warnock is among Democrat senators who can be a big help, as can the energetic, youth-voter-approved elder statesman Bernie Sanders. And while she’s not in the Senate, Stacy Abrams is responsible for Democrat’s razor-slim Senate majority. A grassroots organizing powerhouse, Abrams brings credibility along with a clarion voice that can help bring out the vote across all groups. (If only Coach Biden will put her enormous talent in the game.)

Any number of relatively young Democratic governors can help with Biden’s messaging including Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer (age 53), Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro (50), Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker (58) and California’s Gavin Newsom (56).

And of course, VP Harris should be a key player. Yes, she struggled early on to find her rhythm but Harris has steadied and should be an important message bearer. Harris is an asset touting the Biden administration’s numerous and underrated economic successes as well as social initiatives aligned with the majority of voter’s preferences.

Clearly, there is a smorgasbord of highly capable potential Biden surrogates. I can think of not one reason to add Hillary Clinton to the mix. Hillary will only stir up the Republican hornet’s nest.