High-ranking members of the Democratic Party are publicly calling for President Joe Biden to abandon his re-election ambitions following his disastrous performance during the debate against former President Donald J. Trump. The writing appears to be on the wall – even among those closest to the embattled president.
Despite frantic attempts by Team Biden to salvage what remains of his faltering campaign, the chasm separating the commander-in-chief from key figures within his own ranks continues to widen. While the octogenarian leader thus far refuses to heed these pleas, hinting instead that unforeseen health issues might prompt reconsideration.
Fast-forward twenty-four hours later, news broke that Biden had contracted COVID-19; mercifully, medical professionals assure us his symptoms appear relatively minor.
Practically speaking, short of voluntary withdrawal or some catastrophic event rendering him incapacitated (or worse), replacing Biden atop the Democratic ticket seems increasingly improbable given our current position deep into election season.
Having coasted largely uncontested throughout the primaries, Biden now commands near-universal allegiance amongst over 4000 handpicked loyalist-delegates slated to participate remotely via digital proxy come early-August ahead of the national gathering.
Should circumstances dictate an eleventh-hour exit prior to delegate balloting commencing, theoretically they may redirect allegiances towards alternative candidates. Per existing DNC guidelines governing such scenarios, superdelegate intervention becomes possible upon failure to secure a clear winner initially, paving the path toward successive rounds of deliberations culminating when a victor emerges holding a straightforward numerical advantage.
Conversely, should fate intervene post-convention closure scheduled around late summer, responsibility falls squarely onto Democratic National Chairman Jamie Harrison alongside influential Capitol Hill voices plus state executives affiliated with the association representing governors belonging to the same political persuasion. They will collectively deliberate potential substitutes before presenting findings back to the central authority vested with filling vacancies arising mid-campaign.
Potential substitutes on the ballot include:
- Kamala Harris
- Gavin Newsom
- Michelle Obama
- Gretchen Whitmer
It’s still too soon to tell. Either Biden has to bow out or there has to be someone who takes the lead to ensure that he doesn’t get onto the ballot. With even Chuck Schumer trying to delay the DNC, it seems likely that Biden won’t be allowed to continue for a second term.
