After the debate, there’s no denying Democrats need a plan B

Last night’s debate was a gut punch for Democrats. I’m not here to sugarcoat it. Biden looked rough out of the gate, and that’s putting it mildly.

But guess what? I’d still vote for him in a heartbeat. That’s how spectacularly awful Trump is.

Sure, Biden found his footing as the night wore on. But in this age of viral clips and short attention spans, those early stumbles are political gold for the GOP. 

We’re stuck with a sobering reality: This isn’t about what we want — it’s about what we’ve got and how we make it work.

Biden’s presidency has delivered real, tangible benefits to average Americans. He put $1,400 in people’s pockets when they needed it most, extended a lifeline to the unemployed and lifted kids out of poverty with the expanded child tax credit. Small businesses got a boost, schools got funded and the COVID vaccine rollout actually happened. 

His trillion-dollar infrastructure bill isn’t just talk — it’s about fixing our crumbling country, from roads to internet access to clean water. And with the CHIPS Act, he’s bringing manufacturing back home and investing in a cleaner, smarter future.

Trump’s presidency? A four-year dumpster fire of chaos, division and outright attacks on democracy. While Biden was building, Trump was burning it all down. He didn’t just break norms; he took a sledgehammer to the very foundations of our republic. His leadership — if you can call it that — left America more fractured, unstable and globally embarrassed than ever before. 

The choice ahead isn’t just about policy differences. It’s about whether we want a leader who actually governs or a wannabe autocrat who treats the presidency like a reality TV show.

Biden may stumble over words, but Trump stumbles over basic human decency and democratic principles.

Here’s the real problem: In today’s fast-paced media environment, first impressions matter enormously. Many viewers may have tuned out or formed their opinions before Biden found his footing. The sound bites and video clips circulating online will likely focus on his missteps rather than his eventual recovery.

Let me be clear: I would vote for Joe Biden over Donald Trump without hesitation. Trump’s tenure was marked by chaos, norm-breaking and assaults on democratic institutions. He represents an existential threat to the principles that have long guided our nation. 

But herein lies our challenge: If Trump poses such a grave danger, can we afford to field a candidate who has given Republicans so much ammunition?

It’s time for the Democratic Party to have an honest, albeit difficult, conversation about our path forward. This isn’t about abandoning Biden or his legacy; it’s about building upon his achievements while acknowledging the need for support from those who can consistently deliver strong performances in high-pressure situations.

Our party is blessed with a deep bench of talented, progressive leaders who can help Democrats finish the job. Figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and others represent the diversity and dynamism of the Democratic coalition. They have the potential to energize voters, particularly younger generations, in ways that Biden may no longer be able to.

These potential candidates have the advantage of being able to run on Biden’s accomplishments without carrying the baggage of his perceived decline. They can champion the successes of the past four years — from climate action to infrastructure investment — while offering fresh perspectives on the challenges ahead.

Biden’s stumbling is evident, and we all see it. Yes, he’s done some good, but his shaky performance is the elephant in the room. The fact that most would still choose him over Trump speaks volumes — not about Biden’s strength, but about how spectacularly awful Trump is.

We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. Swapping candidates now? Political suicide. But clinging to Biden like he’s our only hope? That’s not exactly a winning strategy either. This mess is our moment to prove we can evolve when it counts. It’s going to hurt, but it beats the hell out of four more years of Trumpian chaos.

A friend texted me during the debate, “If you look past his speech impediment and age, it was clearly a win for Biden, but it’s hard to look past it if you’re undecided.” She was right. 

We’re stuck with Biden, but that doesn’t mean we can’t evolve our approach. It’s time to rally around our strengths, shore up our weaknesses and fight like our democracy depends on it. Because it does.

Let’s be honest: This is about saving democracy, not party loyalty. As Democrats, we say we put country over party — now we must prove it. We need a winner in November, and nothing else matters. We can’t change our quarterback, but we can improve our playbook. 

If Joe Biden is our only option, then we must rally behind him with everything we’ve got. It’s going to be a bumpy ride to Election Day, but if we adapt, innovate and unite, we can still win this thing. And we have to. The alternative isn’t just losing an election — it’s losing our democracy.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Our nation is counting on us. We need to leverage every strength, address every weakness and fight with an intensity that matches the gravity of this moment.

Michael Starr Hopkins is the host of “It Matters/w Michael Starr Hopkins.”