Program Note
As you can see, ChrisWeigant.com is back up and running again. I have now been assured that the problems are permanently fixed and will not recur again. I will believe that when it happens, but that's what I'm being told at any rate.
Obviously, due to being down yesterday, there was no Friday column. But I did spend at least part of the day writing, so what I'm going to do is post what I've got after I have a chance to quickly edit and format it. It's basically just the introduction, with no awards or talking points (just to warn everyone -- it's not a full column). Sorry for the partial posting, but I figure something's better than nothing, right?
In any case, my apologies once again for the interruption in service and hopefully this won't be happening again. At least, that's what they tell me....
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Trying again. Let's see if I know which thread I'm posting in this time.
In the previous thread, LizM wrote:
In a sentence or two, what can you tell me about Biden, assuming that I am someone who doesn't know anything about him?
Veep under Obama, and before that, senator from Delaware. Known for being gaffe-prone. Worked across the aisle, and across divisions within the Democratic party in the bad old days. His aura of electability was absolutely teflon in the primaries, so either he's a transcendent genius at image management or the Democratic primary electorate are a bunch of utter nincompoops who might even be so unfathomably stupid as to do something like nominate Hillary Clinton.
Not addressed to me, but it's a sufficiently interesting question:
Who do you think would be his replacement?
If he got sick after the convention, he wouldn't technically be replaced. His name would still be on the ballot, and people could still vote for the electors pledged to him, exactly the same way as if he were still running. The blue-state electors would vote for his running mate.
If he got sick after naming a running mate but before the convention, the convention would nominate his running mate.
If there somehow were proof beyond Cartesian doubt that the Tara Reade allegations were substantially true, I'm not sure, but I think he would stay in. If no one cares at all that he might have, I don't see why anyone would care if they knew he definitely had.
That leaves the interesting case: if he got sick before the convention, without naming a running mate.
Bernie is the runner-up, but runner-up is just a nice word for loser. I don't think he could get the nomination as a loser. As plurality winner, probably, but not as loser. There are enough never-Bernie Democrats to guarantee that he couldn't win the general as a primary loser. And there are enough "electability" Democrats to ensure that he wouldn't win a convention vote without a large chunk of their support.
I think they would go through Biden's stated short list of potential running mates, and pick whoever was best liked by Obama administration insiders.
These are Democrats we're talking about. They'll nominate Martha Coakley, by any name available and by any means necessary.
Update:
OK, "Saturday Talking Points" is now up...
-CW
dsws [2] -
But if Biden got sick and dropped out early enough, then Bernie might actually win enough delegates to clinch the nomination.
Sure, it's a long shot, but it could happen, right?
Heh.
-CW
Sorry, should have added:
"...since there are still plenty of primaries which haven't happened yet"
to that.
-CW
Trump will beat Bernie, without question. Happy Four More Years!
I think y'all just may deserve it.
Dan,
Thanks for explaining why the American people can so easily disrespect America's premier statesman and all-around decent and good guy.
I mean that sincerely, I'm not trying to be facetious, here.