Marianne Williamson wants to debate Joe Biden so Democrats can see options for president

Self-help author and Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson loves problem-solvers. If given the chance, she'd open the doors to the Oval Office to them and say "Come on in, we've got it for four years."

Williamson told attendees of the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox Saturday at the Iowa State Fair that she'd declare a climate emergency, repair the damage done by corporations, implement universal healthcare and cancel student loans. "Problem solvers" will help make these goals real.

The "spiritual friend and counselor" of Oprah Winfrey boasts 531,000 followers on TikTok. Williamson's written 15 books, selling more than 3 million copies. She's making her second bid for the White House after first vying for the presidency in 2020.

"It's time for America to turn the page. It's time for America to begin again," said Williamson at the Soapbox. "We have everything we need in this country. We have the people and the best practices. We have people who know how to reclaim the earth, who know how to reclaim our food, who know how to reclaim our land."

Her presence attracted supporters of all ages, the youngest to follow her after her speech was 19 year old. The oldest to speak with the Register was 59.

"She's really cool," said Paige Keplinger, 19, carrying a campaign sign. She said Williamson's speech inspired her, and she could tell the candidate truly believed in what she was preaching. "She wasn't just saying things, like other people."

Marianne Williamson says Democrats want the DNC to hold a debate

Williamson ran as a Democrat in 2020 too, and she told reporters she hadn't considered running as an independent, arguing the issues she's campaigning on are "moderate."

She said the Democratic National Committee has told her there won't be a debate, regardless of her and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s progress in the polls against Joe Biden. While Williamson isn't polling nationally, Kennedy Jr. is currently registering at 15.2%, according to a rolling average posted by polling analyst FiveThirtyEight.

Williamson said she hopes the DNC will realize that Democrats want a debate, and people have the right to understand their options. Biden's lack of progress in establishing a living wage for nonfederal employees and ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden's business deals may indicate, she said, that he isn't the best candidate to go up against the GOP nominee.

"Those of us who are Democrats, we are told you must not consider another way of doing things. 'Don't you understand? It has to be Biden. Don't you understand? The fascists are at the door,'" Williamson stated. "And I want to say to any Democrat who is listening to that, 'I am here today because the fascists are at the door.'"

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at ALathers@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Democrat Marianne Williamson wants voters to know their options