Weighing the lamentable performance of President Joe Biden and his hapless vice president, Kamala Harris, Republicans often look ahead and note their “deep bench” of possible presidential challengers in 2024.

It’s not just that the Democratic incumbent is incompetent and unpopular, nor merely that it’s difficult and rare for a party to turn against its own White House-ensconced leader. It also isn’t simply the further negative point that Biden’s most obvious replacement within the blue party is less liked and capable than her boss is.