For many months, well over a year I have had discussions with friends that either party – Republican or Democrat – that would replace their expected nominee (either Biden or Trump) with another candidate – younger – they would quickly assume an ascendency in the run for the President’s office. The Democratic party was forced into this by Biden’s catastrophic debate. And give credit to Joe Biden putting his ego aside, his personal desires and competitiveness aside, for the good of his party….and country.

I have also talked about for years – that as both parties moved to their extremities (the Democrats to the extreme left and the Republicans to the extreme right) they became entrenched in their positions. The analogy that comes to mind is like the Allies and Axis in World War I who entrenched in their positions held that in between existed “no man’s land”. Politically, that “no man’s land” today is where many moderates of both parties exist and more importantly independent voters – which comprises the largest voting bloc, 43% of American voters consider themselves independent.

Between the two parties – only the Democrats have the ability to move to a more moderate position to attract the moderate voters of both parties and the independent voters. The Republican party, wrapped so tightly around Donald J. Trump’s axle and his support so tied to resolute support of single “litmus” tests (anti-abortion, undocumented immigrants, etc.) they seem incapable of moving in any way to the center of the political spectrum.

If the Democratic ticket, up and down the ballot, is successful in moving to a more moderate stance, moving more to the center of our divided political spectrum – this could turn into a landslide in November. Whether they can do that, highly questionable, but it is in play.

If the Democratic party can accomplish this, it may even be good for the Republican party. If kicked rudely, heavily to the curb in November, the party will return to its conservative roots – unwind itself from Donald Trump’s axle, engage with the electorate on issues that moves the entire country forward instead of following narrow issues important to only special groups.