As we all sort of process this news, I was and am struck by how deftly Kamala Harris handled the last month. Biden's debate performance and the subsequent media obsessiveness that overwhelmed all other narratives meant that there was a perverse spotlight on Harris. She managed to do everything right in supporting Biden and being the good soldier and not letting anyone push her to the fore as an alternative. Now, some of that latter point might be that quite a few of the voices wanting to push Biden aside were not arguing in good faith; they wanted drama; they wanted to feel important. But for those of us who desperately want a champion to defeat Trump (again), she nailed it.
On Biden himself, he already has an impressive portfolio of legislation and executive actions to his name. I think his main priority over the coming months - aside from helping Harris and other Democrats win - will be trying to bring about some lasting peace between Israel and Palestinians. If he can pull that off he has an argument for being among our very best presidents. His decision to step aside for the good of the country has echoes in Washington's decision to step aside after two terms.
Biden was never a great "candidate", he was always a better person and better legislative operator. I don't think it will take a Bill Clinton/Barack Obama level politician to beat Trump; I think a "replacement level" Democrat can do it. I think Harris has shown she can be at least that, and Joe Biden will hopefully hand things off to her next January and go down in history as both a consequential and beloved figure.
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