Talk about an unstable political environment! Faced with President Joe Biden’s baffling choice to bow out of his reelection bid, we’re thrown back to the unpredictable summer 50 years ago when Richard Nixon, for his own reasons, took the identical course. When there’s uncertainty in the political landscape, it’s not unusual for doubts to surface about the tenacity of democracy. The Democrats’ haste to handpick a presidential candidate in time for their national convention has certainly amplified these doubts. The decision by a sitting president to rescind their candidacy this late in the election year is unprecedented, causing inevitable confusion about the way forward.
Yet, for those teetering on the edge of panic, historical accounts of similar situations offer some solace. Notable examples include Presidents Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson’s unwillingness to run for reelection in 1952 and 1968, respectively. There were no hitches or interventions in the following elections. Perhaps even more reassuring are the circumstances around Nixon’s resignation in August 1974 and the ensuing civil transfer of power. The succession of Vice President Gerald Ford to the presidency was a testament to the robustness and resilience of our Constitution and democratic system.
By no means was the transition guaranteed to be smooth. However, the way it played out brought immense relief to the nation. The summer of 1974 saw dwindling faith in the country’s governing system. The Watergate scandal had been brewing for two years, while Congressional hearings, plea deals, and Senate court-martial proceedings were thrust into the public space. The continuous accumulation of evidence pointing towards a vast illegal conspiracy also contributed to the unfolding crisis. Senior officials from the White House found themselves under indictment, and a covert recording system within the White House was unearthed.
Worse still, Vice President Spiro Agnew made his marvelously timed exit, surrendering to unrelated tax and bribery charges. Amidst this chaos, Nixon desperately clung to his innocence and nurtured the delusion of remaining in office. However, events took a significant turn on July 24 when the Supreme Court ruled that Nixon had to disclose the complete, unedited tapes. By story’s end on July 30, three impeachment articles were sent to the House for a vote. The release of three specific White House tapes on August 5 made it undeniable that Nixon attempted to cover up the initial break-in at the Democratic National Committee office.
Fast-forwarding to August 7, three senior Republican officials confronted Nixon in the White House. But rather than advising him to resign, they informed him that his capacity to lead the country had evaporated due to his loss of popular and Congressional support. With democracy hanging by a thread, Nixon was forced to face the music. Acknowledging reality, he announced his resignation, conceding power not under threat, but by his own misguided choice. He left office on August 9, making way for Ford to take the reins.
The U.S. Constitution and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 outline the line of succession for both the presidency and vice presidency. The 25th Amendment explicitly states that the Vice President succeeds the President in the event of death or resignation. Ford transitioned into both roles under these constitutional provisions. Biden is, of course, not the first sitting president to opt out of reelection. Others have done the same. But Nixon was the first to resign, and there was no guarantee that the succession would function as intended by the Constitution.
Yet, the democratic ship sailed on, coursed by the steady hands of the Constitution. Transition of power occurred without militarized intervention, attacks on the Capitol Building, or economic downturns. There were no political coups, shadowy deals, or Congressional opposition. As Ford rightfully noted in his inaugural speech, ‘Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a Government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule.’
In the turmoil of Biden’s sudden withdrawal, these words offer reassurance to a stunned nation. Reflecting on history, it becomes apparent that the nation’s democratic backbone survived even the harshest testing conditions. The brilliance of the Founding Fathers’ vision was verified and, at that, provided solace to the citizens in 2024 who were skeptical of the democratic system’s durability.
Such belief and security are not reliant on remembering the 25th Amendment or reforming a middle school civics class, nor on mastering the procedural rules of a national political convention. However, it demands an involved electorate, well-versed with the Constitution and the intentions behind its creation; a fundamental duty of citizenship. It might seem like a significant ask, but a minimal price to pay for preserving the freedoms we cherish.
We must be vigilant of those freedoms we neglect or remain oblivious to, for these are the most vulnerable to erosion or loss. Overall, the tumultuous days of the summer of 1974 instill confidence in 2024’s distrustful and weary citizens that the democratic system shows an exceptional capacity for endurance.
Biden’s Unforeseen Withdrawal Underscores Inconsistent Leadership appeared first on Real News Now.
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