Democrats’ lurch further left exposes cracks between Biden and progressive party elements, Mark Halperin says

Political analyst Mark Halperin said Friday on Newsmax that the Democratic Party’s pivot towards the left has spotlighted growing tensions between former President Joe Biden and more progressive party members.

During an appearance on “Carl Higbie: Frontline,” Halperin said that this ideological rift in the Democratic Party seems to provide President Donald Trump with a stroke of luck as his adversaries appear fragmented. Halperin added that, traditionally, former presidents retreat from the limelight. Biden’s departure, however, was anything but typical.

“At some point, some higher power said we’re going to endow Donald Trump with the extraordinary luck in his enemies, and we’re gonna keep at it until he’s fighting the Biden’s, AOC and Bernie Sanders forevermore,” Halperin said. “Former presidents normally fade away. The circumstances under which Joe Biden left the stage seemed to reinforce the notion that he should stay off the stage. But it’s all the Bidens have ever known, and there is a big vacuum.”

WATCH:

Since the story of Biden’s potential continued influence broke, doubts among Democrats about his suitability as the party’s leader have intensified.

“I could see why the Bidens think that someone needs to step in there, but it does not seem to any Democrat I talked to since that story ran that the Bidens are the answer, or whatever the question is about the problem of the Democratic Party,” Halperin said.

Halperin said the ideological push towards the left, spearheaded by Sanders and AOC, poses its own set of challenges.

“AOC and Bernie at least inspire people. They’re drawing crowds of thousands. They do have a following. I think they are part of whatever coalition the Democrats build. Not Chuck Schumer as much, but it’s just a fact that part of what’s happened to the Democratic Party is it’s moved to the far left where Sanders and AOC live ideologically, and that’s a problem, but any party needs the energy of its base. They have that,” Halperin said.

Following Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, it was reported that he has expressed a desire to reengage in politics and assist in rebuilding the Democratic Party. He communicated his willingness to fundraise, campaign, and support the party’s efforts against Trump, even meeting with DNC Chairman Ken Martin in February to discuss his involvement.

Several months ago, Democratic Party officials began expressing serious concerns about Biden’s electability after a disastrous debate performance in June. As Biden fell further behind in the polls, the pressure mounted. Biden eventually dropped out.

Latest posts by Mariane Angela (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.