Generation Spat: Dems Want Biden to Pass the Torch. Biden: 'I'm Still Holding on to That Torch'

Tyler O'Neil | 9:32 PM on June 27, 2019

At the second half of the first 2020 Democratic presidential debate on Thursday, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) urged former Vice President Joe Biden to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. Biden said he won’t give up that torch.

Swalwell quoted Biden from decades ago. “Joe Biden was right when he said we have to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans then. He is right today,” Swalwell said, suggesting the former vice president should step aside for a younger candidate.

“I’m still holding on to that torch,” Biden shot back. He insisted on investing money in education to raise up the next generation. “That’s why I think we should have universal pre-K. That’s why there should be free community college, cutting in half the costs of college.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) attempted to jump in, to counter Biden’s position as an elderly candidate. Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., tried to butt in as the youngest candidate on the stage.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) attempted to jump in and calm down both sides. “You know what, folks, Americans don’t want to witness a food fight. They want to hear how we’re going to put food on their table,” she said, shaming all her squabbling competition. Harris received loud applause, but this line suggested that government’s job is to feed Americans.

She then declared that “in America, no one should have to work more than one job,” as if Americans did not want or ever take part-time jobs.

Perhaps Americans shouldn’t pass the torch to any of these Democrats…