Biden and the Far Left: How the Far Left’s Activism Undermined Democratic Gains in 2020
The 2020 U.S. presidential election saw a significant victory for Joe Biden, with Democrats winning the presidency but falling short in holding onto Senate and House majorities. This article explores the influence of the far left on Democratic performance and whether the far left's activism was a key factor in the outcome.
The Election Results and Misconceptions
It's premature to say that Democrats "got the Presidency" without also acquiring Senate control. About 47% of the country was not particularly satisfied with the Biden administration, and there were instances of voters supporting both the Democratic Senate candidate and the Republican one. In fact, it is more accurate to state that Democrats lost the House and Senate due to several voter concerns:
Disapproval of rioting and lawlessness, tacitly endorsed by groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter (BLM). Resistance to policies often associated with socialism. Distrust in plans to defund the police. Displeasure with calls for judicial activism, such as legalizing late-term abortions and expanding the Supreme Court.The Far Left and the Senate Results
The Senate race outcomes were more straightforward as Republicans held seats primarily in states where Trump won or nearly won. The Georgia Senate race remains unfinished, but even if Biden won Georgia, it was not enough to turn the tables. Republican victories in states such as Maine can largely be attributed to the popularity of local Senator Susan Collins, not the far left's influence.
The Role of Far Left Activism in Biden's Underperformance
The article argues that the far left's activism weakened Biden's electoral performance. It suggests that if Biden had consistently repudiated far-left policies, he could have attracted more moderate voters and ultimately achieved better results in the House and Senate. Here are three key points:
Policies Not Explicitly Advocated: The article points out that voters are not opposed to Joe Biden because he is explicitly advocating for socialist policies. However, by not explicitly repudiating these policies, Biden allowed the far left to cast him as a supporter of such ideas. Consistent Repudiation: To counter these far-left policies effectively, Biden should have said: "The notion of defunding the police is malarkey. I will veto any bill doing related to that." "There is no way I will expand the Supreme Court. We need to focus on making the court independent, not politicized." "Safe, legal, and rare is how I view abortion. While I support regulations in the third trimester." Failure to Speak Up: Instead, Biden's statements were ambiguous and at times echoed progressive rhetoric, which undermined his ability to appeal to a broader base of voters.Conclusion: A Call for Moderate Politicians
The far left's activism did not benefit the Democratic Party. Rather, it was the spineless moderates who capitulated to these ideas that were the true assets to the GOP. For political progress, moderate politicians need to stand firm against the far left's extreme positions. Biden's failure to do so likely contributed to the Democratic underperformance in the 2020 elections.
Whether or not this narrative holds true, it calls for a more balanced and strategic approach to policy and rhetoric from future presidential candidates and their supporters.