Joe Biden is comfortably positioned as leader of the many Democratic candidates, although he is having a rocky campaign launch. His chief rivals at this point, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, are solid progressives. It seems clear that Biden is the candidate of restoration, the one thought to have the best possibility of defeating President Donald Trump and returning us to the glory of the Obama years. Nominating a true progressive brings with it the risk of not defeating Trump coupled with a fear of radically altering our basic political and social system.
These two political philosophies, to restore our pre-Trump stability or daring to build a more egalitarian system, mirror the age groups supporting the Democratic candidates, although Biden’s chief rivals are also eligible for Social Security. Polls demonstrate that the progressive wing of the Democrats consists largely of the younger generation who champion a single-payer health system, more rigorous climate change regulations and a more subsidized higher education system. The progressive wing is also far more dedicated to a far more inclusive society, especially for people of color, women and LGBT groups.
It falls to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others, to attempt reconciliation of these major groups and promise the probability of defeating a sitting president.
We in New Hampshire have the privilege of hearing all the candidates promote their positions and values and decide on the best of these Democratic candidates. We must take this responsibility seriously.
DONALD JOHNSON
Deering