With the worst debate performance in the history of presidential elections, Joe Biden has ignited a fast moving discussion − can he be replaced? Is there still time to pick someone, get them introduced to the public and on the ballot? Who should step in?

Some Democrats seem to think they are stuck with Biden. If they replace him now, it will look like the Republicans were right all along, and the Democrats were lying to the American people about Biden’s competence.

Those concerns are real, and valid. There will be a cost to pushing Biden aside. It will take a lot of advertising to introduce a new candidate. And there’s a risk, as there always is, that a new person will implode because of a previously undetected scandal, or a meltdown at their first press conference or debate.

But replacing Biden is worth the risk and some of us thought that before he got beaten like a middle school wrestler taking on Conor McGregor.

Elections aren’t really about ideas and issues. They are usually about gut feelings and emotions. Issues matter because they move blocs of voters........

© USA TODAY