Why Some Democrats Are Fixated on Biden’s Age

Seth Masket: “The ongoing obsession with Joe Biden’s age continues to mystify me, but I’m increasingly thinking the reason for it is that, as in 2016, Donald Trump is more popular than he should be, and political observers need something to blame for that. Biden’s age, in this sense, is doing the work that Hillary Clinton’s e-mails or her speaking style or use of identity politics did back in 2016. It’s not the cause, but it’s a convenient scapegoat.”

“As I’ve written previously, the idea of ‘electability‘ is a particularly Democratic obsession; Republicans do not really stew over it (and indeed could probably stand to worry about it a bit more). Democrats, broadly speaking, are pretty sure they can spot an ‘electable’ candidate — e.g.: someone who can win swing voters in Wisconsin and Michigan — or, if not, they are very sure they can spot someone who isn’t electable.”

“Electability is a deeply problematic concept. It often overlaps with race and gender — many political actors are convinced that women and people of color do worse in elections even in times and places when they don’t. Sometimes there’s a hint of data involved, as in the polls showing how different candidates would do against the other party’s nominee in November. But oftentimes it’s just vibes informed by prejudices.”