Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and contributor to The New York Times, shared a formal name for the mess that President Joe Biden is in: escalation of commitment to a losing course of action.
When facing ultimate doom, evidence shows we humans tend to double down on our lousy decisions, rather than rethink our plans and take alternative tacks.
According to Grant, our brains rationalize decisions we’ve already made instead of making rational decisions.
We’ve all done it. Stayed in bad jobs or bad relationships because we invested so much of ourselves in them. We battle to stay rather than walk away, especially if we see the light at the end of the tunnel. For Biden, that’s Election Day.
Wisdom and fresh perspectives, along with more dignified behavior, can come with age. At the time of this writing, Biden has not shown these benefits. Something else older age can bring? Stubbornness.
While Biden is digging in his heels, donors are manipulating what they want on the dollar.
One group is working to raise $100 million for the Next Generation PAC to support a replacement candidate. If Biden does not step aside, the money could be used to help down-ballot candidates.
Meanwhile, donors are actively trying to identify a preferred successor. Vice President Kamala Harris is one of them.
If Harris were to run, the $285 million in cash in Biden’s campaign war chest would mostly transfer to her, not a candidate outside the West Wing. This fact alone adds logic to the argument of Harris as candidate for president.
This is in no way an endorsement for Harris. We’d like to see the merits of all possible contenders.
But it’s worth noting Harris’ access to that money.
Consider what it takes to fundraise. Four months is not much time. This $285 million could buy a lot of exposure for Harris, getting her out in front of the public, a place she’s not been much during her time in the White House.
Why is that? Why hasn’t Biden been more generous sharing the spotlight with her? It would have made good sense to ready her for his position in case he died or became incapacitated.
Now, look where we are.
Harris is fiercely loyal to Biden, even after his debate flubs. With women’s reproductive rights one of her top issues, it must have been rough to hear Biden speak ineloquently about them.
Immigration, another task of Harris’, is a seemingly impossible one. We’d like to hear her insider thoughts on this challenge.
Again, not saying Harris is the one, but one compelling reason to ponder in a run for the presidency is the next debate with Donald Trump. Boy, this would be something to see.
A former prosecutor, Harris is a born debater. When unscripted, she generally does well. She also has a reputation for standing up to bullies. She would skillfully match Trump on every point. Especially when pressed about his actions outside the bounds of law.
If a debate forum could sink Biden, it would surely put some wind in her sails.
Already, Harris is more favored in a race with Trump than Biden. In a CNN poll released earlier this week, Harris is running closer to Trump than Biden is.
The poll showed 45% of voters would support Harris in a match-up with Trump. She is 2 percentage points behind Trump, who received 47% support in a contest with Harris.
After a winning debate, Harris could easily make gains.
Biden trailed Trump by 6 points. Trump is leading with 49% support; Biden received 43% support.
Truth be told, it’s not even about who would be best as president. It’s about the ticket that can beat Trump.
