Democrats in Debate Panic: Can Biden Be Replaced?

Updated:

Published:

Democrats in Debate Panic: Can Biden Be Replaced?
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/TT

Wavering and incoherent. And, according to some, painful to watch. President Joe Biden's weak debate performance is causing panic within the Democrats in the USA. Discussions about replacing him with another candidate ahead of the autumn's presidential election are being reported.

Wavering and incoherent. And, according to some, painful to watch.

President Joe Biden's weak debate performance is causing panic within the Democrats in the USA. Discussions about replacing him with another candidate before the autumn's presidential election are being reported.

Painful. I love Joe Biden. I've worked for Joe Biden. This didn't go well at all.

The Democratic strategist and CNN commentator Van Jones was visibly taken after the debate between the president and challenger Donald Trump.

He's not alone. The TV duel hadn't even ended before the discussion between high-ranking party representatives and major donors was underway.

Disaster. Worse than I thought was possible. Everyone I talk to thinks Biden should throw in the towel, says a donor who planned to participate in a fundraising event with Biden over the weekend and who wants to remain anonymous to the TV channel CNBC.

A Thankless Task

However, getting a candidate replacement is very difficult as long as Joe Biden himself wants to continue his campaign – which, at present, seems to be the case. The presidential candidate is formally appointed at the party convention in Chicago on August 19-22 by delegates who, through the results of the spring's primary elections, are personally bound to the 81-year-old.

Changing the convention rules requires a decision by the party leadership in good time before the meeting, which is unlikely to happen as long as Biden wants to run. The situation is complicated by the fact that the party plans to conduct the delegate voting digitally before the actual convention.

Step one would therefore be to persuade the president to step aside. Whether such a thankless task would fall to President's wife Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, or party chairman Jaime Harrison is already being discussed.

Unity at the Convention?

If Joe Biden de facto throws in the towel, all his delegates will be unbound, and the convention must agree on a new presidential candidate during the four days it takes place. This hasn't happened since 1960. Biden's vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris won't automatically take over her boss's delegates, but she can run and would likely have a good chance if the president backs her.

But there are other high-profile Democrats lurking, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Transportation Minister Pete Buttigieg, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Whoever wants to snatch an eventual candidacy must court the state delegations intensively, likely a 24/7 job at the convention.

If Biden were to drop out after the convention but before the election on November 5, party chairman Harrison would have to consult with Democratic governors and congressmen before a replacement can be appointed, writes The Wall Street Journal.

Formally founded: 1828

Symbol: Donkey

Has historically been strong among craftsmen and workers in cities, farmers in the west and south, as well as ethnic minorities. Has also had significant support among liberal academics. Support from the south has decreased, and now the party is strongest in the populous states along the USA's west and east coasts.

Has, compared to the Republicans, greater trust in the state to create welfare and build systems for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Democratic presidents since 1950:

Harry S Truman 1945–53

John F Kennedy 1961–63

Lyndon B Johnson 1963–69

Jimmy Carter 1977–81

Bill Clinton 1993–2001

Barack Obama 2009–2017

Joe Biden 2021–

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Imprisoned Ex-Leader Calls for Protests as Georgia Votes

Imprisoned Ex-Leader Calls for Protests as Georgia Votes

Czech Election Could Halt Military Support to Ukraine

Czech Election Could Halt Military Support to Ukraine

White House Unveils 20-Point Plan for Gaza Peace

White House Unveils 20-Point Plan for Gaza Peace

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Sanae Takaichi Set to Become Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Drone Attack Sparks Fire at Major Russian Oil Refinery in Kirishi

Drone Attack Sparks Fire at Major Russian Oil Refinery in Kirishi

Italians Deported from Israel as Swedish Embassy Meets Detained Swedes

Italians Deported from Israel as Swedish Embassy Meets Detained Swedes

Drone Alert Causes Flight Delays at Munich Airport

Drone Alert Causes Flight Delays at Munich Airport

David Zini Appointed as Israel's New Shin Bet Chief Amid Controversy

David Zini Appointed as Israel's New Shin Bet Chief Amid Controversy

Bear Attack in Northern Japan Leaves One Dead, One Missing

Bear Attack in Northern Japan Leaves One Dead, One Missing

Storm Amy Leaves 100,000 Without Power in Norway

Storm Amy Leaves 100,000 Without Power in Norway

Trump Urges Immediate Halt to Israel's Gaza Bombings

Trump Urges Immediate Halt to Israel's Gaza Bombings

Netanyahu Approved Drone Attack on Gaza Convoy with Greta Thunberg

Netanyahu Approved Drone Attack on Gaza Convoy with Greta Thunberg

Hamas Open to Peace Talks and Hostage Negotiations in Gaza Conflict

Hamas Open to Peace Talks and Hostage Negotiations in Gaza Conflict

Munich Airport Halts Traffic Again Due to Drone Alarm

Munich Airport Halts Traffic Again Due to Drone Alarm

US House Speaker Mike Johnson Cancels Activities Amid Shutdown

US House Speaker Mike Johnson Cancels Activities Amid Shutdown

Storm Amy Hits Ireland: 230,000 Lose Power Amid Severe Weather

Storm Amy Hits Ireland: 230,000 Lose Power Amid Severe Weather

French Photojournalist Antoni Lallican Killed by Drone in Ukraine

French Photojournalist Antoni Lallican Killed by Drone in Ukraine

Russia Not Exempt from International Law Despite Finland Court Ruling

Russia Not Exempt from International Law Despite Finland Court Ruling

US Launches New Strike on Suspected Drug Smuggling Boat Near Venezuela

US Launches New Strike on Suspected Drug Smuggling Boat Near Venezuela

Christine Toretti Sworn In as US Ambassador to Sweden

Christine Toretti Sworn In as US Ambassador to Sweden