If We Progressives Had Led With Grace Instead of Arrogance

Today’s political climate is the result of many choices—some made in fear, some in pride, and some in silence. But what if key decisions had been made differently? What if President Biden had honored his physical limitations, Kamala Harris had been groomed to lead, and progressives had chosen compassion over combat? The landscape of American politics might look very different.

Part I: Biden’s Second Term—A Decision That Changed Everything

President Joe Biden’s decision to run for a second term despite visible signs of physical decline was a pivotal moment. According to the book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, aides privately discussed the possibility of Biden needing a wheelchair during a second term. His gait issues, memory lapses, and limited stamina were increasingly difficult to conceal, yet the campaign pressed forward.

Had Biden stepped aside earlier, the Democratic Party could have rallied around a successor with time to build trust, articulate a vision, and energize the base. Instead, the optics of Biden’s decline became a liability. His debate performance in June 2024 was widely criticized, and his eventual withdrawal in July came too late to reverse the damage.

This wasn’t just about age—it was about leadership. Biden’s legacy as a stabilizing force post-Trump was undeniable, but his insistence on running again, despite internal concerns, reflected a deeper issue: the inability of political institutions to prioritize long-term strategy over short-term loyalty.

Part II: Kamala Harris—A Missed Opportunity to Elevate a Successor

Vice President Kamala Harris entered office with historic significance and high expectations. Yet over four years, her visibility was inconsistent, her portfolio politically fraught, and her potential largely underutilized.

Harris was tasked with addressing the “root causes” of migration from Central America—a long-term diplomatic challenge with limited domestic visibility. She also led initiatives on voting rights, gun violence prevention, and maternal health, but these accomplishments were often overshadowed by the administration’s broader struggles.

In her memoir 107 Days, Harris reflects on the internal dynamics of the White House, noting that even when she sensed Biden’s decline, she felt it would be “self-serving” to suggest he step aside. This reveals a troubling truth: the administration did not actively prepare Harris to lead, nor did it create space for her to shine.

Imagine if Harris had been publicly supported, strategically positioned, and given the opportunity to build her own narrative. Her candidacy could have been a symbol of generational change, intersectional leadership, and renewed energy. Instead, she inherited a fractured party and a defensive posture.

Part III: Progressive Hubris—The Cost of Matching MAGA Energy

Progressives pride themselves on moral clarity, social justice, and intellectual rigor. But in recent years, many have matched the aggression of MAGA rhetoric with their own brand of disdain—mocking, name-calling, and moral superiority.

This approach, while emotionally satisfying to some, has alienated potential allies. Studies on political discourse show that divisive rhetoric increases polarization and reduces empathy across ideological lines. When progressives engage in ridicule, they reinforce the very dynamics they claim to oppose.

The truth is: you don’t win hearts by shaming people—you win them by listening, educating, and loving them through transformation. Compassion is not weakness. Patience is not passivity. And understanding is not surrender.

Progressives must take ownership of their role in this political breakdown. The echo chambers, the purity tests, the performative outrage—all of it has contributed to a culture of division. We must ask: Are we building bridges, or burning them?

Part IV: What Could Have Been—A Vision of a Different 2025

Let’s imagine a different path:

- Biden announces in early 2023 that he will not seek reelection, citing his age and desire to pass the torch.

- Kamala Harris is endorsed and empowered, given high-profile roles, media support, and strategic mentorship.

- Progressives recalibrate, choosing grace over aggression, focusing on storytelling, community-building, and inclusive dialogue.

- The Democratic Party enters the 2024 election united, energized, and forward-looking.

In this alternate reality, the election becomes a referendum on hope, not fear. Harris articulates a bold vision rooted in equity, climate action, reproductive rights, and economic justice. Progressives amplify her message with humility and clarity. The contrast with MAGA rhetoric is stark—not because it’s louder, but because it’s wiser.

Part V: The Spiritual Imperative—Rising Above Low Vibrational Energy

Politics is not just strategy—it’s energy. And matching the low vibrational energy of MAGA—anger, fear, dominance—only perpetuates the cycle. As spiritual beings, we are called to rise above.

This doesn’t mean silence. It means intentional speech. It means radical empathy. It means truth without cruelty. The most powerful revolutions are rooted in love.

As progressives, we must return to our core values:

- Kindness as strategy

- Understanding as resistance

- Love as leadership

This is not naïveté—it’s wisdom. It’s how movements endure. It’s how minds change. And it’s how we reclaim the soul of democracy.

Conclusion: A Call to Reflect, Recalibrate, and Rebuild

The political fiasco of 2024 was not inevitable. It was the result of choices—some made in ego, some in fear, and some in silence. But it’s not too late to learn.

Let us honor Biden’s legacy by acknowledging his limits. Let us uplift Kamala Harris not as a footnote, but as a leader. And let us, as progressives, choose the higher path—not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

To get to any of us, they’ll have to go through all of us. But let’s make sure “us” is a force of love, not just resistance.

Sources:

- Newsweek on Biden’s decline

- USA Today on Biden’s physical limitations

- Boston University thesis on divisive rhetoric

- People Magazine on Kamala Harris’ reflections

- CBS News on Harris’ immigration role

- USA Today on Harris’ accomplishments