In a move that underscores the Democratic Party's perennial inability to adhere to deadlines and their propensity to circumvent standard procedures, President Joe Biden is set to be virtually nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee before the party's national convention in August. This unorthodox decision aims to secure his spot on Ohio’s general election ballot, despite the Democratic National Committee (DNC) being notified months ago that Biden’s name would not appear on the state’s general election ballot unless he was nominated by Ohio’s deadline of August 7th.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, called a special legislative session to address the issue last week, but lawmakers had not agreed to a solution by the time of the DNC’s announcement on May 28th. This legislative impasse appears to be more a product of the Democrats' own procrastination than any deliberate obstruction by the GOP.
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison's statement that “Joe Biden will be on the ballot in Ohio and all 50 states, and Ohio Republicans agree. But when the time has come for action, they have failed to act every time, so Democrats will land this plane on our own,” rings hollow. It conveniently ignores the fact that the Democrats have had ample time to align their convention schedule with Ohio’s requirements but failed to do so. Harrison’s assertion that Republicans are attempting to "chip away at our democracy through incompetence or partisan tricks" is not only unfounded but smacks of projection.
This virtual nomination process is a makeshift solution to a problem of the Democrats' own making. While the DNC plans to conduct a virtual roll call to ensure Biden’s nomination, it’s worth noting that this method was last employed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic—a time when unprecedented measures were necessary. Now, the Democrats are resurrecting this approach, not because of a global health crisis, but because of their inability to manage a straightforward deadline.
Moreover, this move sets a concerning precedent. By sidestepping the traditional nomination process, the Democrats are effectively saying that rules can be bent or ignored to suit their convenience. This approach erodes trust in the electoral process and fosters a sense of arbitrariness that is detrimental to democratic norms. The claim that this virtual roll call is to prevent Republicans from undermining democracy is a diversion. The real issue at hand is the Democratic Party’s failure to manage its own affairs competently.
The Ohio Legislature, controlled by the GOP, has previously demonstrated flexibility in accommodating changes to the certification deadline. In both 2012 and 2020, lawmakers extended the deadline to align with the nominating conventions of both parties. This year, however, only the Democrats have scheduled their convention too late, highlighting a lack of foresight and planning on their part.
It is important to consider the broader implications of this decision. The Democratic Party’s inability to adhere to deadlines and their subsequent reliance on virtual processes can be seen as indicative of a larger problem within the party—one of disorganization and a propensity to blame external factors for internal failings. This incident serves as a microcosm of the broader inefficacies that have plagued the Biden administration, from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan to the mishandling of the southern border crisis.
Furthermore, this situation brings into question the Democrats' commitment to transparency and fairness. The move to a virtual nomination process, while logistically feasible, lacks the transparency and legitimacy of a traditional in-person convention. It reduces the opportunity for delegates to engage in meaningful discourse and undermines the democratic process within the party itself.
The Democrats' decision to virtually nominate President Biden before the national convention is a glaring example of the party's inability to manage its own processes and adhere to established rules. It reflects a troubling trend of disorganization and a disregard for procedural norms. While the DNC might attempt to frame this as a necessary move to counteract Republican obstruction, the reality is that this is a problem of their own making. The American people deserve better than a party that continually fails to plan ahead and resorts to bending the rules to cover its own shortcomings. This episode should serve as a wake-up call to voters about the importance of accountability and competence in our elected leaders and their parties.
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