DNC’s Plan to Forgo Primary Debates — A Big Mistake

Here is the open letter I sent today to the Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison and fellow Democrats at the DNC:

March 7, 2023

Dear DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison and Fellow Democrats at the DNC, 

On Jan. 31, I sent you this letter objecting to the Democratic National Committee’s high-handed efforts to require New Hampshire to revoke its state law and move its iconic, century-old primary from the first-place position to make room for South Carolina, which the DNC apparently believes the President more likely to win.

This cynical maneuver transferred the contest away from the state with the gold standard for election integrity and, famous for having the most democratic process, to one where the DNC believes it can control the outcome.  

On Friday, ABC confirmed that the DNC has decided that it will not host any primary debates, evidently to shield the President from having to engage with challengers who are also vying for the nomination. The policy you have chosen eliminates another vital step in representative democracy. Republican critics have predictably accused our party of adopting this “Soviet-style reform” because the DNC lacks faith in President Biden’s capacities.  

I’m troubled by the party’s rush to adopt strategies that rig the election to favor one man at the expense of the democratic process. Our country is now torn by a dangerous polarization more toxic than at any time since the Civil War. The epicenter of the anger on both sides has focused on the belief that our elections in 2016 and 2020 were rigged. This belief has inspired radioactive passions hot enough to prompt some Americans into violent insurrection against our government.

Please take a moment to consider the disastrous optics of your recent choices and whether you believe they are likely to mitigate the polarization by persuading American citizens that our party is committed to open and fair elections. Shouldn’t we be showing people that we are the party of the New Deal, not the rigged deal? 

Finally, Democratic Party kingpins are making a strategic mistake in trying to protect the President from a bruising primary. The Republican nominee will enter the general elections after triumphing in a series of robust debates between a host of capable opponents. Asking the President to engage a battle-hardened foe without preparation is like asking a prizefighter to train for the championship bout by sitting on a couch eating fast food. The Economist last week made this precise point: the DNC’s decision to forego primary debates will dull President Biden’s campaigning skills even further and undermine the chance of better candidates emerging.  

We, Democrats, need a candidate ready to rumble in the general election. 

Finally, the DNCs heavy-handed maneuver to screen the President from debate invites Republicans to say that a president too frail to debate is also too frail to govern.  

I hope you will reconsider this ill-advised decision.  

Sincerely,

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.