In what may be the surest sign yet that Joe Biden does actually intend to run for reelection in 2024, the president has moved to rig the 2024 primary in his favor.

According to recommendations released by him that are projected to be adopted by the DNC, Biden wants South Carolina to be the first primary in the nation, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada, and Georgia. In what is obviously not a coincidence, South Carolina just so happens to be the state that saved the president’s nomination prior to the 2020 election when it was looking as if Bernie Sanders would take the crown.

NEW: President Biden has recommended South Carolina lead the presidential nominating process, followed by NH, Nevada, Georgia and Michigan. Iowa completely booted from early window: https://t.co/P9KU47lA7o

— Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) December 2, 2022

In 2020, Iowa (which is technically a caucus state but would be moved back as well) and New Hampshire were the first contests. Biden lost both of them by sizable margins leaving his candidacy on the brink. That’s when the Democrat establishment, led by Rep. Jim Clyburn, stepped in to ensure he won South Carolina. That changed the tide and the rest is history.

Moving to make South Carolina first would essentially ensure that Biden is renominated even if he faces challenges from the likes of Sanders and/or Pete Buttigieg. It just so happens that Biden won Georgia and Michigan in the 2020 primary as well, which would mean he’d be favored in three of the first four states he’s recommending.

Honestly, I’m kind of shocked at the ruthlessness. Whether it’s Biden or his handlers angling to keep their jobs, this move is nothing if it isn’t a good strategy. I’d love to see Republicans operate with that kind of mindset on just about any topic, but that’s like asking my dog to do long division.

With that said, New Hampshire isn’t going to go away quietly. They are apparently going rogue, ready to keep moving their primary up until the DNC capitulates. Iowa is also planning to fight for its current ranking.

Already, New Hampshire promises to go rogue: “The DNC did not give New Hampshire the first-in-the-nation primary and it is not theirs to take away," NHDP Chair Ray Buckley says in a statement. "This news is obviously disappointing, but we will be holding our primary first." https://t.co/LD9nlUXAEl

— Brianne Pfannenstiel (@brianneDMR) December 2, 2022

I’m conflicted on this. On the one hand, who doesn’t want to see Democrats slap-fighting? On the other hand, I’ve always found it silly that Iowa and New Hampshire, two smaller, largely monolithic states, believe they have a God-given right to be first in the nation. It’s long made more sense to me to start things off with a big group of states in the Super Tuesday mold. That we don’t do that feels more designed to drag out things for TV ratings and drama than to have a sensible primary.

But hey, who am I to argue with a good Democrat civil war? Let them fight.