Three Post columnists discuss the unenviable options facing the party.

Podcast episode

Perry Bacon Jr.: People like new faces in politics. And there are a lot of people I talked to in the country who are like, “Why do I have to vote for these two guys who are so old — again?” I think a young, articulate person would inject some new energy. They might have a scandal that I don’t know about, but I think if you’re talking about Gretchen Whitmer or Pete Buttigieg, or people we haven’t heard of, I do think there is a potentially high upside.

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Karen Tumulty: Let’s describe what changing now would involve. First and foremost, it would involve President Biden voluntarily stepping aside. And then the decision would be made by the roughly 4,000 people who are Democratic convention delegates, who then would be released. So we would have a very short, intense primary campaign where the electorate is essentially a bunch of party activists, union members — a lot of teachers union and local party officials, a lot of local elected officials. We don’t have the storied smoke-filled rooms of earlier eras.

Charles Lane: It would be less transparent and democratic than the primary process, which, since it was unopposed for Biden, is already not super democratic to begin with.

Karen Tumulty: And some states, such........

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