By President Joe Biden who announced his withdrawal as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor. This unexpected development has reshaped the Democratic field, with Harris emerging as the frontrunner in recent polls against former President Donald Trump.
Harris’s Strong Polling Performance
Recent polls indicate that Harris is well-positioned to challenge Trump in a potential general election matchup:
1. An Ipsos poll shows Harris (42%) nearly tied with Trump (43%), compared to Biden’s 40-40 tie with Trump in the same poll.
2. A CNN poll from early July revealed Harris trailing Trump by a narrower margin (45-47%) than Biden (43-49%).
These results suggest that Harris may be a more competitive candidate against Trump than Biden, potentially alleviating some Democratic concerns about electability.
Biden’s Endorsement and Harris’s Response
In his withdrawal statement, Biden threw his full support behind Harris, saying, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Harris, who has been actively campaigning for Biden, responded to earlier speculation about replacing him by stating, “Look, Joe Biden is our nominee. We beat Trump once, and we’re going to beat him again.”
Other Potential Candidates
While Harris leads the pack, several other prominent Democrats are being discussed as potential nominees:
1. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Governor: Seen as a potential 2028 candidate, Whitmer trails Trump 36% to 41% in the Ipsos poll and 42% to 47% in the CNN poll.
2. Gavin Newsom, California Governor: Newsom fares slightly better, with 39% to Trump’s 42% in the Ipsos poll and 43% to 48% in the CNN poll.
3. Andy Beshear, Kentucky Governor: A rising star in the South, Beshear trails Trump 36% to 40% in the Ipsos poll.
4. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Governor: Pritzker receives 34% support compared to Trump’s 40% in the Ipsos poll.
5. Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary: In the CNN poll, Buttigieg garners 43% support against Trump’s 47%.
The Michelle Obama Factor
Interestingly, former First Lady Michelle Obama, despite repeatedly stating she has no interest in running, performs exceptionally well in hypothetical matchups. The Ipsos poll shows her leading Trump 50% to 39%, the strongest performance of any potential Democratic candidate.
Party Unity and Next Steps
As the Democratic Party grapples with this unexpected shift, maintaining unity will be crucial. Many of the potential candidates have previously expressed strong support for Biden and may need to recalibrate their positions in light of his withdrawal.
The coming weeks will be critical as the party works to coalesce around a new nominee. The Democratic National Committee will need to establish a process for selecting the new nominee, which could involve a series of primary debates or a more streamlined selection process given the proximity to the general election.
Implications for the 2024 Election
Biden’s withdrawal and the emergence of a new Democratic nominee could significantly alter the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race. Key considerations include:
1. Messaging and policy focus: A new nominee may shift the party’s messaging on key issues like the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy.
2. Fundraising: The Democratic Party will need to quickly mobilize donors around the new nominee.
3. Campaign infrastructure: Transitioning Biden’s campaign infrastructure to a new nominee will be a complex but necessary task.
4. Republican strategy: Trump and the Republican Party will need to adapt their strategy to face a potentially different opponent.
As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the Democratic Party and its potential nominees. The choice of candidate will not only shape the party’s immediate electoral prospects but could also influence its long-term direction and identity.
abcnews.com
