In recent days, President Joe Biden and the White House have been on the defensive, facing growing doubts about his ability to secure a win in the upcoming November election. A lackluster debate performance has only fueled the panic and confusion surrounding Biden’s candidacy. This has led to public discussions about how the Democratic Party can maintain control of the White House, raising questions about potential replacements for Biden on the presidential ticket should he decide to step down. While such a move is unlikely, it would create a logistical nightmare and could spark an ugly inter-party fight among Democrats just months before voters head to the polls.
There are a few ways the president could be replaced on the ticket, but the chances are slim that Biden, at 81, would vacate his candidacy with just over four months until the election. However, public support for Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be growing as discussions continue. Other names have also been floated as potential replacements.
Vice President Kamala Harris is an obvious and increasingly popular choice to replace Biden. As vice president, she has become the face of the administration’s campaign to protect reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris has been a loyal ally to Biden, fiercely defending his debate performance and reiterating her support for his candidacy. Despite her strong name recognition, Harris has struggled with low approval ratings throughout her tenure. However, she will have a prime-time moment that could boost her standing when she faces off against Trump’s pick for vice president in an upcoming debate.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is another potential candidate. As a two-term governor, Whitmer has gained popularity among Midwest Democrats and has campaigned for Biden in the past. She has enacted several progressive policies in Michigan, including protecting abortion access and passing gun safety measures. Whitmer has expressed interest in seeing a Generation X president in 2028 but has not explicitly suggested she might fill that role.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is also a strong contender. Newsom has been one of the Biden Administration’s fiercest surrogates, frequently appearing on cable news networks to praise Biden. He has political ambitions of his own and is often listed as a possible 2028 candidate. Newsom has raised his national profile by being a key party messenger on conservative media and through a debate against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is another name that comes up frequently. Buttigieg ran for president in 2020 and is often touted as one of the Biden Administration’s best communicators. He has managed several public crises during his time as Transportation Secretary, including the East Palestine train derailment and the Baltimore Bridge collapse.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has also seen high approval ratings since his election in 2022. Shapiro has worked across party lines and made national headlines for quickly rebuilding a collapsed bridge on a crucial Philadelphia highway. This political victory has positioned him as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is another potential candidate. Pritzker has raised his profile by criticizing Trump and defending Biden. He has a track record of completing progressive agenda items, including abortion rights and gun control.
Other possible candidates include Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. Each of these individuals has gained national attention and could be considered as potential replacements for Biden.
However, a Reuters IPSOS poll released recently found that the only person who could beat Trump in November was Michelle Obama. Despite this, the former first lady has repeatedly stated that she does not have presidential aspirations. In a statement to NBC News, her office made it clear that her 2024 plans do not include running for office. Michelle Obama supports Biden and Harris’ re-election campaign and intends to assist the Biden campaign this fall, as she did four years ago. However, her engagement is likely to be limited compared to that of her husband, reflecting her other commitments and her long-standing reluctance to re-enter the political fray full-time.
Given Michelle Obama’s star power, the Biden campaign will likely seek to maximize her limited role later in the campaign when more swing voters will be paying attention. A senior Biden adviser mentioned that there have been early conversations with Obama’s team about campaign engagements, noting that an obvious area of alignment is her nonpartisan voter registration group, When We All Vote.
Despite her reluctance to run for office, Michelle Obama’s name continues to come up among Democrats who are worried about Biden’s weak standing in the polls. Republicans have also fixated on the notion of Obama replacing Biden, using it to diminish the president’s political viability and stoke the GOP base.
Former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller have both discussed the prospect of an Obama candidacy. At the Conservative Political Action Conference last month, an entire panel discussion was devoted to the possibility of her being “parachuted” in as the Democratic nominee at the convention in her hometown, Chicago.
While Michelle Obama has made it clear that she does not intend to run for president, the speculation and fantasizing about a 2024 candidacy have not stopped. Among Democrats, especially Democratic donors, her name continues to come up as a potential alternative to Biden. However, those close to her emphasize that politics is not in her soul, and she is unlikely to appear on a ballot herself.
Source: BBC News, NBC News, AP
