Democrats: Stop the bedwetting. You aren’t helping.

It was obviously from the beginning that Biden was not at his best. And I knew that it would freak Democrats out.

Here is why. Middle class liberals really hate the fact of political disagreement. They believe that since they are intelligent and good-hearted, everyone should agree with them. And they are shocked and bewildered when they face strident disagreement.

The first reaction is to deny it. So when, seven years ago, I first started to talk about Trump’s fascist appeal, most people thought I was hysterical.

And then when strong disagreement continues, middle class liberals worry and lose confidence in themselves. And that happens even though poll after poll shows that on issue after issue the majority of people in this county are on our side.

This is one of the reasons that Democrats in office are so reluctant to act on the liberal ideals they campaign on.

One consequence is that we assume we need extraordinary candidates and campaigns to win. And when we don’t get them, we freak out.

Do you remember Obama’s terrible first debate with Romney. People were saying we would lose the election.

Do you remember Fetterman’s even worse debate against Oz? Everyone said the election was over. They were wrong.

This was a bad performance. The worst part about it is that we had some hope that SOTU Biden could change the narrative about the election. And it’s a shame to lose the opportunity. But (1) it’s really early and people are going to forget this and (2) there is plenty of time to focus millions of dollars of TV ads and millions of door knocks on the issues where the majority of people stand with us and (3) Trump is going to screw up. (And he was quite terrible today.)

So while I have long wished that Biden did not run again because Kamala Harris or Gretchen Witmer would be 10 and 15 points ahead right now, I don’t think this was the disaster many of you think.

It really is not helpful to keep wringing your hands. Follow the advice of Gavin Newsome and recognize that we have to win this election. And get to work.

Now if the polls really do drop a lot, it’s not too late to replace Biden. But I’m not sure he’s can be persuaded to step down. And there is no mechanism to force him to do it.