Why get rid of Joe and stick Harris in for 2 years (disqualifying her from running for 2 full terms) when Joe is the perfect fall guy?
Maybe the’ll get rid of Harris, first. If this happens, it will happen fast and because whoever is in the shadows is tired of being unseen.
You are right that Joe is a great fall-guy and they are getting a lot out of using him. There must be strong incentive to not upset a plan that is working.
Something like Trump getting “gone” would probably be the trigger.