As the national convention of the Democratic Party in the United States, slated for August 19-22, 2024, draws near, anxiety continues to mount about the fate of President Joe Biden regarding the November presidential election.
The talk in the US is about whether Biden should exit the race or not. While Biden and his team had said he would not quit, some members of his Democratic Party want him to withdraw from the race.
The call for Biden to exit the race continues to resonate. By Friday, more congressmen and women elected on the platform of Democratic Party joined their voices in the Buden-must-quit call. About 35 Congressional Democrats have made the call.
Those involved include former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio; Sens. Peter Welch of Vermont, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Jon Tester of Montana.
Also in support of Biden’s withdrawal are Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas; Rep. Jared Huffman of California; Chuy Garcia of Illinois; and Mark Pocan, of Wisconsin.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California; Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois; Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio; Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota; Rep. Kathy Castor, Reps. Morgan McGarvey and Gabe Vasquez, among others, also want Biden to quit.
The controversy over Biden’s candidature came about owing to his woeful performance in the presidential debate with Republican candidate and former president, Donald Trump about three weeks ago, as well as fears about his physical and mental health.
However, inasmuch as Biden’s withdrawal from the race is one thing, the impact of such development is another. Many are wondering what the reaction of donors, who have put in their money because of the president, would be. Also there is apprehension about the reaction of those who support Democratic Party because of Biden and how things would pan out in the face of the law.
Regarding the law, political parties are required to submit names of their candidates at the latest on August 26, 2024. But the law governing substitution of a candidate’s name varies from state to state. The furthest date for substitution is October 18 for State of Delaware, where candidates have up to 17 days before the general election to be replaced on the ballot.
Political pundits say the more Biden delays in quitting the race, the more difficult it would be for Democratic Party to nominate a replacement as well as make the candidate acceptable.
The fear of those who say that Biden’s withdrawal could spark off the withdrawal of donors are founded. However, those who counter this say that the emergence of a new candidate would also bring up new donors as well as widen the support base.
This belief is anchored on the fact that since Biden would support whoever that may replace him, in the event of withdrawal, his supporters and favourite donors would also support whatever replacement.
It should also be noted that only Biden can decide to drop out of the race. His Democratic Party can’t force him out. Apart from him taking the decision to withdraw, the other things that could make him quit is death or if incapacitated.
