As the 2024 presidential election approaches, insiders within President Joe Biden’s camp are expressing confidence that Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the Democratic ticket. Despite the challenges and criticisms facing the current administration, the belief in Harris’s capability to spearhead the campaign remains strong.
Bernie Sanders, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, has acknowledged Biden’s recent debate performance as “painful” but remains steadfast in his support for the President. Sanders emphasizes the importance of focusing on policies rather than personalities, urging voters to adopt a mature perspective when evaluating their options. He is committed to doing everything possible to ensure Biden’s reelection, highlighting the stark contrast between Biden’s policies and those of former President Donald Trump.
However, concerns about Biden’s ability to continue in the race have been growing among Democrats. Some party members, including Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, have called for Biden to withdraw from the race, citing the high stakes involved. Doggett believes that Biden has the opportunity to encourage a new generation of leaders through an open, democratic process.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also weighed in, acknowledging the legitimacy of questions surrounding Biden’s performance. While she has not spoken with Biden since the debate, Pelosi maintains that the President is well-informed and aware of the issues at hand.
In private, discussions among potential Biden replacements, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Vice President Kamala Harris, have been taking place. These conversations involve potential running mates, with names like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and California Rep. Ro Khanna being mentioned. Despite these discussions, all officials on such lists have publicly pledged their support for Biden.
Nina Turner, a national co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has expressed concerns about the Democratic Party’s ability to win with Biden as the nominee. She believes that the decision ultimately rests with Biden himself. Amidst this frustration, key groups within Biden’s political coalition have shown signs of division, with some supporters attacking prominent Biden backers like Tim Miller.
A handful of leading Republicans from the “Never Trump” camp have also met privately with Biden campaign officials, urging the President to leave the race. Despite these pressures, Biden’s campaign has downplayed his political problems, emphasizing his fundraising success and the support he retains among voters.
A CNN poll conducted after the debate found that Biden’s favorability rating has not shifted significantly, and many voters still support him. However, a significant portion of Democratic voters believe the party would have a better chance of winning with someone else at the top of the ticket.
Despite these challenges, Biden’s campaign announced a massive fundraising haul for June, raising $127 million, including $33 million on the day of the debate and its aftermath. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison has made it clear that the party’s rules leave no room for a Plan B, emphasizing that Biden secured almost every delegate in the primary process.
Biden’s allies in key states acknowledge the fear spreading through the party ranks. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has worked to calm concerns about Biden’s mental acuity, sharing her personal experiences with the President. Michigan Democratic Party chair Lavora Barnes has also emphasized the need to focus on Biden’s accomplishments in contrast to Trump.
Vermont Democratic Sen. Peter Welch has conceded that Biden’s debate performance intensified questions about his age, which are on the minds of many voters. However, Sanders remains optimistic, urging voters to focus on the issues and the significant differences between Trump and Biden.
Despite the challenges, Democratic insiders believe that sticking with Biden is the party’s best option. Vice President Kamala Harris, despite her own challenges, is seen as a crucial part of the ticket. A CBS News–YouGov poll found that Harris’s performance has had a mixed impact on the Biden administration, with some voters feeling worse about the White House due to her role.
Harris’s approval ratings have been a point of concern, with a YouGov poll showing that many Americans do not believe she is ready to assume the presidency. However, the electorate’s assessment of public figures can change dramatically when they become presidential nominees. Harris’s current approval rating may not be a reliable predictor of her performance as a standard-bearer.
Recent history suggests that public officials often become less popular when they enter the presidential limelight. Hillary Clinton, for example, had a high approval rating as Secretary of State but became one of the most unpopular major-party nominees in history. Harris’s own experience in the 2020 Democratic primary, where she initially gained support but later struggled, adds to the uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, Harris’s status as the first woman and the first person of Black or South Asian descent to hold the office of Vice President adds a historic dimension to her candidacy. Replacing her on the ticket could risk offending and demotivating those who see her election as a historic triumph.
Democratic insiders believe that the best course of action is to stick with the incumbent president who has already proven capable of defeating Trump. However, they also recognize the need to rehabilitate Harris’s image and make her a more appealing candidate to the electorate.
In conclusion, while there are significant challenges facing the Biden-Harris ticket, Democratic insiders remain confident in their ability to lead the party to victory in 2024. The focus remains on highlighting the differences between Biden and Trump and emphasizing the importance of policies that impact the lives of Americans.
Source: Associated Press, Politico, CBS News, YouGov, CNN
