The Democrats pick pragmatism over idealism in 2020

Nicholas Wapshott | Issue 2 | Comment, Magazine, Washington

From the Archive

Joe Biden Donald Trump
PHILADELPHIA - MAY 18, 2019: Former vice-president Joe Biden formally launches his 2020 presidential campaign during a rally May 18, 2019, at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia.; (Shutterstock)

As a report reveals that Joe Biden will benefit from his son‘s deal with China's largest energy company, Nicholas Wapshott explains why he still has the best chance of winning the Presidency

If Americans want to dump Trump in November, they must find a way to like his Democratic rival, Joe Biden. Twice before Biden has offered himself as a presidential candidate; twice before he was rejected, in favour of, first, Michael Dukakis, in 1988, then Barack Obama, 20 years later. In 2016, having served eight years as Obama’s vice president, it may have been third time lucky for Biden, but he dithered, and by the time he was ready to run, Hillary Clinton had buttoned up the nomination by snaffling all the big party donors. In normal times, Biden has appeared too bland, too slick, too much of a Washington insider to appeal to the ardent, idealistic activists who pick Democratic candidates. But these are not normal times. The noble Republican Party of Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt, of Ike and the Bushes, father and son, is long gone and has mutated into the party of Trump. For once, Democrats have put aside their idealism and chosen a champion simply because he stands the best cha...

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