Joe Biden's problem

Who would you hire for the job of president?

More than most elections, a presidential election is in many ways like a job hiring. Ideology and campaigning matter as in other races, but the presidential election is also about voters choosing—hiring, to continue the metaphor for a moment—someone to fill the most important job in the country.

Any hiring decision is actually two decisions in one. First, is which candidates among the applicants qualified for the job? And second, among those who are qualified, who is the best candidate.

Biden’s problem is that in repeated polling after the first presidential debate, a clear majority—about 2/3rds of Americans—think he’s no longer qualified for the office. That may be tough to hear, but it’s the political reality.

This means that, as long as he’s in the race, Democrats are forced to argue for someone who most Americans feel is not fit for the office. This completely undercuts their attempts to make the same case about Donald Trump.

If Democrats want to be able to convince persuadable Americans that they should not vote for Trump because he’s not fit for office, they’re going to need a candidate who those same persuadable Americans believe is fit for the role.