New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd has sparked a debate by labeling the Democratic Party’s decision to replace President Joe Biden with Kamala Harris as their 2024 nominee a “coup.” In her recent piece, Dowd acknowledges that Biden’s removal was strategically necessary, but she argues that the party’s handling of the situation was anything but smooth.
Dowd highlights the role of high-ranking Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, who she claims were instrumental in quietly convincing Biden to step down. “The president already resented Obama for shoving him aside for Hillary,” Dowd writes, pointing to long-standing tensions that reemerged during this transition. According to her, Biden’s isolation from party leaders became apparent when many admitted they couldn’t reach him, as he was reportedly “sulking” after realizing he was being pushed out.
The columnist is critical of the party’s efforts to put a positive spin on what she calls a power grab. She argues that Democrats “whitewashed the coup by ornately extolling Biden,” praising his record while behind the scenes maneuvering for Harris to take over. Figures like Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) publicly lauded Biden’s accomplishments, all while supporting the party’s strategy to replace him.
Dowd suggests that while the decision to remove Biden may have been necessary, it exposes the ruthlessness of internal Democratic politics. Despite the backroom machinations, she admits that the move might have been essential to avoid a disastrous campaign, even if it meant forcing out a sitting president.
