A history professor with a near-perfect record of predicting presidential elections dismissed concerns over Joe Biden’s debate performance, asserting it will have “zero” impact on the presidential race. Allan Lichtman, an American University professor who co-created the “keys to the White House” model for predicting presidential races, spoke with CNN’s Abby Phillip, shutting down speculation from pundits, pollsters, and analysts who he claims lack a track record in election predictions.
Lichtman, who has accurately predicted nine of the last ten presidential elections, emphasized that debates are not predictive of election outcomes. He cited past debate performances by Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and former President Barack Obama as examples. “That’s why we rely on the 13 keys which tap into the structure of how elections really work. And they show that Democrats’ only chance to win, contrary to everything you’ve heard, is with Biden running,” Lichtman stated.
The remarks come amid a fallout for Biden among Democrats, with some questioning his ability to continue his campaign. Lichtman dismissed these concerns, noting that questions over Biden’s physical capabilities are not coming from medical professionals. “So this is all foolhardy nonsense. The same pundits and pollsters who led us down the primrose path in 2016 are giving the Democrats horrible advice,” he said.
Lichtman also criticized Republicans for sticking with Donald Trump, whom he described as a “blatant liar.” He argued that lies can stick, but debate performances can be overcome. “And now, at the first sign of adversity, the spineless Democrats want to throw under the bus their own incumbent president. My goodness,” he added.
Biden’s allies have been working on damage control following the debate, with top Democrats expressing their support for his campaign. Despite the criticism, Biden has continued to make appeals to donors, emphasizing his commitment to running for a second term.
Lichtman’s confidence in Biden’s candidacy is rooted in his “keys to the White House” model, which focuses on broader structural factors rather than individual debate performances. According to Lichtman, the model shows that the Democrats’ best chance of winning the election is with Biden as their candidate.
The professor’s dismissal of concerns over Biden’s debate performance highlights the importance of looking beyond immediate reactions and focusing on the larger picture. While debates can influence public perception, they are not the sole determinant of election outcomes. Lichtman’s track record in predicting elections lends credibility to his assertion that Biden’s debate performance will have “zero” impact on the presidential race.
As the election season progresses, it will be crucial for Democrats to consider Lichtman’s insights and focus on the broader structural factors that will determine the outcome of the race. While debates are an important aspect of the campaign, they are not the be-all and end-all of election success.
In conclusion, Allan Lichtman’s dismissal of concerns over Biden’s debate performance underscores the need to focus on the larger structural factors that influence election outcomes. With his near-perfect record of predicting presidential elections, Lichtman’s insights provide valuable guidance for Democrats as they navigate the challenges of the campaign season. Despite the immediate fallout from the debate, Biden’s candidacy remains the Democrats’ best chance of winning the election, according to Lichtman’s “keys to the White House” model.
Source: CNN
