Why We Need An Open Democratic Convention
Article by Liliana Zavin, TPT Staff Writer
The year was 1968. Democratic candidates, delegates, and voters gathered in Chicago for what would soon become the last Open Democratic Convention of the modern era. Voters during this convention were primarily concerned with the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War and for equal rights of Black Americans, leading to riots which brought the National Guard to the Windy City to quell them. The convention was tense as incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to run for a second term, pushing Vice President Hubert Humphrey to the top of the ballot. Although the convention did not lead to a successful Democratic victory for the presidency, it spotlighted the injustices in the Vietnam War and the differing perspectives on candidates.
Image Credit: Library of Congress
Over 50 years later, for the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democratic National Convention will be in Chicago again. The difference is that voters currently know who is going to win, and that is almost guaranteed to be current President Joe Biden. The issue is that most voters aren’t excited about that. Throughout his presidency, Biden’s approval rates have remained low, despite his many achievements in fiscal policy, climate action, and investment in infrastructure. And now, as President Joe Biden heads into what will likely be another rematch with Donald Trump, voters have maintained their disapproval. Nearly 70% of respondents to a January Reuters/Ipsos Poll, including about 50% of Democrats, believe that President Joe Biden should not seek re-election. The biggest issue prompting this is President Biden’s age. As much as left-wing activists and Joe Biden’s campaign aides argue that President Biden, now 81 years, is still able to be an effective president and is doing remarkably well, it is clear that he is no longer able to achieve the same persuasiveness and leadership qualities that he was in his younger years. Though the slip-ups that have been scrutinized by conservative media have demonstrated some of the effects of aging on the president’s mental capacity, Biden needs to be on his A-game to defeat Trump and his ability to run a winning campaign is not ensured. The future of American democracy is at threat if Donald Trump succeeds in the 2024 Election, and with voters unsupportive of the aging president, the threat is becoming more real.
That’s where an Open Democratic Convention, similar to those seen in the years leading up to 1968, comes in. In an Open Democratic Convention, the candidate who will run in the general presidential election is not predetermined. Delegates representing districts across the nation will fly to Chicago knowing the list of potential candidates and who their district votes for, but not knowing who will win as a whole. The idea of going into an election without knowing who both the candidates will be is foreign to American democracy as we know it. However, just fifty-six years ago, and in the century prior to that, this was all that Americans knew. The first step is to convince President Biden that he cannot run again. Although he asserts that he is mentally and physically fit to serve another term as president, it is necessary to prove that he is making a grave mistake, the same that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other political figures have made, and will meet their same fate. His closest advisors, including former president Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, need to fill this rule, advising Biden that a continued run for presidency is selfish and places his own needs above the preservation of American democracy. Second, political leaders must determine amongst themselves who should run to become president. Some ideas are Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, former governor of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. All of these figures are influential leaders within the Democratic party and are young, with fresh ideas on how to improve the nation. President Biden could end his presidency on a positive note, allowing the nation to recognize his many achievements for what they were.
The benefits of an Open Democratic Convention go beyond bringing a new, young perspective into office. Millions of people across the nation would tune into the convention as the Democratic candidate is chosen, encouraging interest and involvement in the Democratic party and providing greater support and praise for its leaders. Additionally, an open convention would push for the election of a candidate who reflects American values and ideals in the current political moment. President Biden does not reflect the diverse beliefs, cultures, and perspectives which the nation was built on. His positions on the war in Palestine and Israel and limited action on many other issues has caused Biden to lose the support of many groups essential to the success of the Democratic party. Just the option of candidates who reflect the diverse perspectives of Americans, those which voters can be excited to submit a ballot for, supports the need for an open convention. If this is not reason enough, the most important reason supporting an open democratic convention is the chance to protect American democracy. According to a New York Times/Siena College Poll, Donald Trump is leading by 5% of voters. Even though according to many political analysts it is still likely that the Democrats could beat Trump if Biden ran, the odds are close. Too close. To protect the future of democracy in the United States, it is crucial to consider the benefits of an Open Democratic Convention.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/opinion/ezra-klein-biden-audio-essay.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/democrats-replace-biden-nominee-rcna138125
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/a-trump-biden-matchup-is-likely-how-the-hell-did-we-get-here
https://time.com/5377386/1968-democratic-national-convention-protesters/
https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-BIDEN/POLL/nmopagnqapa/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/02/us/politics/biden-trump-times-siena-poll.html