As the 2024 presidential race draws closer, the pressure for President Joe Biden to drop out continues to grow. Reports of his family preparing for his potential exit have only added fuel to the fire, raising questions about who could potentially replace him. With the Democratic party in a state of concern and uncertainty, the search for a potential successor has taken on a new sense of urgency.
As more Democratic members of Congress call for Biden to step down, bringing the total to at least 30 since his disastrous debate against Trump, the President remains isolated at his beach house in Delaware after being diagnosed with COVID-19. While he still maintains that he can beat Trump, he has been huddling with family and relying on a few longtime aides as he tries to resist efforts to push him aside.
The concerns and worries among party leaders, donors, and even officials who are part of his re-election effort have only intensified with each passing day since the debate three weeks ago. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Trump has just accepted his party’s nomination and is rallying support around him, despite recently surviving an assassination attempt.
Among the Democrats expressing concerns about Biden’s chances are former President Barack Obama and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi has privately told Biden that the party could lose the ability to seize control of the House if he does not step aside. This sentiment is echoed by many, including Illinois Congressman Sean Casten, who wrote in an op-ed that he is calling on Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation” with a heavy heart and much personal reflection.
Despite the growing calls for him to drop out, Biden remains determined to continue his campaign and defeat Trump. In a recent statement, he said that Trump’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention showcased a “dark vision for the future” and that he plans to return to the campaign trail next week. He also insists that he has a path to victory over Trump, despite the worries of some of his party’s most eminent members.
His campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillion, acknowledged that there has been some “slippage” in support for the President, but she maintains that he is “absolutely” remaining in the race and that the campaign sees “multiple paths” to beating Trump. While there may be some voters concerned about Biden’s fitness to lead, O’Malley Dillion assures that they are not switching to vote for Trump.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee’s rulemaking arm held a meeting on Friday, pressing ahead with plans for a virtual roll call before August 7th to nominate the presidential pick, ahead of the party’s convention later in the month in Chicago.
It is a pivotal few days for Biden and his party, with Trump wrapping up an enthusiastic Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Thursday. And as Democrats race against time, they are considering the extraordinary possibility of Biden stepping aside for a new presidential nominee before their own convention.
But there is also time to reconsider. So, who are the potential contenders to replace Biden on the ticket? Let’s take a look at some of the top names being discussed.
Kamala Harris is considered the best-positioned candidate to replace Biden, should he change his mind. As his current running mate, she would have a head start over several other potential candidates. Harris has already been on a winning presidential ticket with Biden and has years of goodwill banked with core party constituencies. She would also likely have control of a huge campaign fund amassed by the Biden re-election.
A number of delegates have already expressed their loyalty to Harris, making her a viable option for the party. O’Malley Dillion has also hinted at the possibility of Harris taking over, saying that she would make the most sense to carry on the Biden legacy.
However, there are some concerns about whether Harris has the name recognition required to compete against Trump. A new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Democrats believe Harris would do a good job as president, while 2 in 10 do not, and another 2 in 10 are unsure.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also been consistently mentioned as a potential replacement candidate. As the governor of a big state with big ambitions and a comfortable mix of policy and politics, he emerged as Biden’s most prominent soldier in a battleground state. However, he has shut down the possibility of stepping into the race this year in an interview with the Associated Press, saying that
