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Friday, June 28th, 2024 6:38 pm EDT
Key Points
- President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump has heightened anxiety among Democrats, leading to calls for a new nominee.
- Replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee less than five months before the election is seen as politically risky and logistically challenging, with Biden showing no intention of dropping out.
- Discussions are taking place among Democratic fundraisers to urge Biden to exit the race, targeting figures like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, but no clear alternative candidate has been identified, and Biden maintains support from his delegates and key officials.
President Joe Biden’s faltering debate performance against former President Donald Trump has ignited significant concern among Democrats, leading some commentators and fundraisers to suggest the need for a new nominee. The debate, characterized by Biden’s raspy voice, unfocused responses, and inarticulate delivery, has intensified anxiety within the party just five months before the Election Day. Despite these concerns, replacing Biden would be politically risky and logistically challenging at this late stage, with the only viable option being Biden’s voluntary withdrawal from the race, which he has shown no intention of doing.
Top Democratic officials and Biden’s aides assert that the 81-year-old incumbent has no plans to drop out, leaving the party without a clear alternative candidate. Nonetheless, the debate performance has led some donors and party officials to consider steps to encourage Biden to exit the race. Discussions among Democratic fundraisers have centered on persuading congressional leaders, particularly Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, to urge Biden to step down. Schumer, who has privately expressed concerns about Biden’s standings in election polls, is seen as a key figure in these efforts. However, publicly, Schumer has continued to support Biden, emphasizing the importance of securing a Democratic victory.
The panic among fundraisers is partly driven by a loss of trust in Biden’s team, with some feeling misled about his ability to effectively challenge Trump. Wealthy donors, attending a high-dollar fundraiser in the Hamptons, plan to assess Biden’s viability as a candidate firsthand. The situation presents a dilemma for the Democrats, with few clear options for a smooth transition. Meena Bose, director of the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency at Hofstra University, suggests that the only feasible solution might involve Biden endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. However, Harris is considered a risky choice due to her low poll numbers and mixed campaign history.
Without Biden’s withdrawal, the Democratic National Convention in August remains the only opportunity for a potential change, where delegates could theoretically abandon Biden and open the nomination to other candidates. However, this scenario is highly improbable, given the delegates’ loyalty to Biden. Alternative candidates speculated by some Democrats include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, but the likelihood of such a dramatic shift remains low.
In his defense, Biden acknowledged his less-than-stellar debate performance but reaffirmed his commitment and capability to lead. Addressing a rally in North Carolina, he admitted to not being as physically and verbally adept as he once was but emphasized his experience, integrity, and determination to continue his presidency. Biden reassured his supporters of his conviction to serve effectively, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming election.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/28/biden-debate-trump-democrats-new-nominee-heres-how.html
