I am skeptical that Democrats have a master plan to dump Biden and Harris at the convention and replace them with a more viable set of candidates. 

It's the sort of thing that works in novels and scripts, in which Machiavellians in smoke-filled (these days the smoke is cannabis, but still...) decide the fate of political parties and nations. But the real world is generally much messier, with competing power factions, infighting, backbiting, and competition among rivals ensuring that things don't neatly fall into place. 

It's not that all the major players can't get behind an idea and push it--when all the interests line up it happens--but rather that when the brass ring is up for grabs everybody lunges for it. Replacing Biden and Harris would set everybody's interests against each other, and finding a graceful way to align everybody's interests quickly seems very unlikely. 

But as I suggested the other day, there may be a preference cascade happening in the real world, where public opinion shifts suddenly and perhaps decisively in one direction--that Donald Trump should be the next president. It's not that everybody is enthusiastic about the idea, but rather that everybody realizes that Joe Biden is not going to be the guy. And if not him, then Trump it is. 

Only way it happens is if Biden comes out and does so voluntarily citing a health issue or something.

I can't see the DNC making the switch against his will. It'd destroy the party. https://t.co/tFsXSpUYzI

— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) May 23, 2024

Suddenly CNN is trashing the New York trial against Trump, scoffing at the evidence, laughing at Michael Cohen, and admitting it is a political farce. AOC is bitching that Trump shouldn't be rallying because he is in shackles, tied to New York City by the lawfare. Trump haters I know are speculating with me about things he might do that would be good for the country, like get rid of some regulations that hinder innovation. 

Bill Maher is something of a leading indicator, openly admitting that Biden is a cadaver, while Joy Behar admits that she doesn't like telling the truth about Biden because it might help Trump. 

It's like the liberals are freed, finally, to say the quiet part out loud: Biden and Harris suck. 

This Comedy Central Daily Show skit ripping Kamala Harris' word salads is both brutal and hilarious. pic.twitter.com/ODT5hc4Cf3

— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) May 22, 2024

Biden is easily the most mockable president in a while, and that is saying something. Trump is naturally funny, but the left couldn't really be funny about him because they hated him so much. Clinton was the object of much hilarity because he wore his appetites on his sleeves, and even W generated some amusement when they left toned down the hate and focused on his manner of speaking. 

But Biden and Harris? The left has treated them like eggshells because they placed so much hope in them to save the country from Trump. 

BILL MAHER ON BIDEN: “He’s cadaver-like”

pic.twitter.com/qpSXmyoaZc

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 21, 2024

The dam is bursting, though. At least it seems so. Some amorphous cultural signal seems to have gone out that the jig is up, so have some fun. Say what you think. Why not? 

One of the most fascinating examples to me has been CNN's coverage of the recent polls, where they go out of their way to show that Trump is greatly outperforming expectations. It's as if they have been freed from the requirement that they protect Biden at all costs, and are reveling in it. 

PANIC IN WASHINGTON as CNN Sounds Alarm on Biden's Primary Weakness as Trump Surges. WATCH

CNN says, "So, I want to take a look back through history. Performance after opponents dropped out—these are non-incumbents in presidential primaries. I want you to look through the years… pic.twitter.com/5VATKsEWyV

— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) May 23, 2024

Perhaps I am misremembering it, but I have a vague memory of state television stations in East Germany covering the collapse of the Berlin wall, and there was a sense of relief emanating from the presenters. Finally we don't have to cover for the lies. 

CNN: Everyone [in MSM] is saying Donald Trump is doing “weak, weak, weak.”

It’s actually @JoeBiden in the primaries who is doing “weak, weak, weak."

Biden has the *LOWEST* share of the primary vote for any incumbent since George H.W. Bush in 1992.

(H.W. Bush lost in 1992.) pic.twitter.com/3FafFjdRcV

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 23, 2024

It must have been exhausting sticking to the script, and finally, they can say what they think. 

Perhaps I am overinterpreting, but that is how it seems to me. The collapse of the "Biden is strong and brilliant" narrative seems to be here. 

Not that there won't be holdouts--or even that most won't stick to the script for a while yet. After all, Baghdad Bob was still defending Saddam as the tanks rolled in behind him. 

But I sense a vibe shift.