Following a debate with Donald Trump, some Democrats are expressing doubts about Joe Biden’s bid for the 2024 US Presidential Election. Elaine Kamarck of the Brookings Institution mentioned to Reuters that replacing Biden would be a complex task.
Currently, the Democratic Party does not have a clear backup plan for replacing Biden as their 2024 presidential nominee. Biden, who is running without opposition, is expected to receive the official nomination this summer.
If a change becomes necessary, Biden has three options: retire after the Democratic convention in Chicago in August, face a contender who seeks to win over his delegates, or step down before being nominated. In the latter scenario, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) would select a new candidate to challenge Trump.
Biden remains central to this decision. Either he agrees to step aside or a challenger displaces him. So far, Biden has shown no intention of stepping down, and no direct challengers have emerged.
Key potential candidates, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris, have criticized Biden’s performance in the recent debate but have also shown strong support for his candidacy, according to reports.
If Biden Steps Down
Biden’s 4,000 Democratic delegates could vote for another candidate if he steps down. These delegates can vote independently of Biden. One scenario involves Biden ‘releasing’ his delegates, prompting other Democratic contenders to vie for the nomination. Although there is no clear front-runner yet, several potential successors to Biden exist. Despite her challenges, including low polling numbers, Harris would likely be a strong candidate.
Other potential candidates include Newsom, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, though they currently support Biden’s candidacy, according to Yahoo News.
If Biden steps aside, prominent Democrats would compete for the nomination. A candidate needs 600 delegate signatures to be nominated. A ‘brokered convention,’ where delegates negotiate to select a nominee, would occur if no candidate wins a majority, possibly requiring multiple voting rounds. The Democrats last held a brokered convention in 1952.
Post-convention Scenario
If Biden resigns after the August convention, the 435 DNC members would choose a new nominee. These members, representing various constituency groups, would convene in a special session. A candidate must receive a minimum number of endorsements from DNC members, as determined by the DNC Rules Committee. Voting could occur virtually or in person, depending on the timing relative to Election Day on November 5.
