One can only hope that Joe Biden and the Democratic leadership are avoiding any kind of radical talk before the election in order to appeal to the Center. Other than that, Biden's misplaced refusal to entertain some same hardball methods that the Republicans have used would threaten to undermine his potential presidency before it would even begin. If the Republicans succeed in manipulating the Supreme Court to secure a decades-long advantage, everything needs to be on the table. If not, elected Democrats could find themselves facing primary challenges from the Left in 2022.

The Left Will Take No Prisoners Starting in January

The Left was already fed up well before Trump and McConnell's unholy alliance conspired to place the most far-right justice perhaps ever on the cusp of the Supreme Court. Liberals have entered into a marriage of convenience with Biden as the first step towards a new progressive era. However, marriages of convenience ultimately unravel when one or both sides realize that they are not getting the benefit of the bargain.

As usual, the person to watch on the Left is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She has been rumored to be considering a primary challenge to Chuck Schumer in 2022. She would pose a real threat to the soon-to-be Majority Leader as progressives have cleaned the moderates' clocks in New York. Schumer knows it, and this is one reason why is he talking much tougher than some of his caucus. If he fails to deliver any sort of action for the liberals, Schumer will be facing the primary contest of his life. AOC has refused to rule out a challenge to Schumer and has been using the prospect of the primary to even further raise her profile. In the meantime, she has set a sound example for the Left, falling in line behind Biden in exchange for some influence over policy.

However, the minute this election is in the books (and we are already factoring in Trump's self-immolation), the Left is going to come to collect its IOU from Biden. Shut out of power for four years, liberals will not only want quick action, but they will also desire retribution for the sins of Mitch McConnell. Going high was a nice aspiration, but the Left is ready for payback in the wake of the Supreme Court heist. They will not be patient.

While Biden may be able to move incrementally enough to satisfy the Left, progressive policy will need to be on the table. Assuming McConnell has not lost his seat, one can no more count on him to cooperate as they could for the sun to rise in the west. Thus, the absolute first thing that will need to go is the legislative filibuster. This is not even a question. If this does not happen within the first month of the next Congress, there may be open rebellion on the Left. After the filibuster is gone, the Democrats should move to grant statehood to Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

Court Packing Should Be an Option That Is on the Table

Even if the Democrats do not immediately move to pack the courts, they should keep that option open as a way to gain leverage over Republicans. Barring any major change, the Republicans will have control over the courts for a generation. Making noises about court packing could be enough to convince conservative judges to exercise some sort of restraint in their decisions. Otherwise, they should know that their power will be diluted.

Of course, this assumes that the Democrats win at least 51 Senate seats because Joe Manchin cannot be relied on to act with the rest of his party. However, if Schumer has the votes, he needs to act with some speed. AOC is watching, and she would need to declare her intentions early in 2021 to raise enough money. If Schumer is delivering on a progressive agenda, she may hold back to go after Kirsten Gillibrand.

AOC is just one person making her own calculation. Progressives will be watching elected Democrats closely very early on in the next Congress. If the new Congress wastes any time thinking that they can work with the likes of McConnell and Kevin McCarthy, they may find themselves facing primary contests for the ages. 2022 could be the cycle with the most incumbents defeated in primary elections in U.S. history if the restive Left is not pacified early.