Without a doubt, Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential contest puts the Democrats in serious danger. Yes, Joe Biden was losing ground in the polls, but the Democrats’ future will be a very ugly and polarizing one.
Not long after declaring his withdrawal, Biden supported Kamala Harris to succeed him.
“My fellow Democrats, I have made the decision to forego accepting the nomination and put all of my attention to my duties for the remainder of my term. Kamala Harris, the 2020 party nominee, was my first choice for vp. And I’ve never made a better choice,” he said. “Today, I would like to formally support Kamala for our party’s candidacy this year.” It’s time for Dems to unite and defeat Trump. Come on, let’s do this.”
Although Kamala may benefit from Biden’s endorsement, it is not certain that she will receive the nomination.
Not at all.
Following the announcement that Biden was withdrawing, former president Bill Clinton and twice unsuccessful presidential candidate Hillary Clinton issued a statement that contained the following information:
“We will help Vice President Harris as much as possible and are proud to support the President.”
“Despite all of the ups and downs in our lives, nothing has caused us to be more concerned about our nation than the threat that a second Trump administration poses. He has said from the start that he will be a despot, and the current decision by his subservient Supreme Court will only give him more confidence to further undermine the Constitution. The moment has come to rally behind Kamala Harris and use every resource at our disposal to help her win. “America’s future rests on it.”
Barack Obama, the former president, also issued a comment. Although the statement is lengthy, this is the crucial part:
“In the days to come, we’ll be traveling into unfamiliar territory. However, I am confident that our party’s leaders can establish a process that will yield an exceptional nominee. At the Democratic Convention in August, I think Joe Biden’s vision of a giving, wealthy, and unified America that offers opportunities to everyone will be on full display. Each of us should be ready to carry that message of progress and optimism into November and beyond.”
This is obviously not support for Kamala Harris.
Now that Biden has resigned, the Democrats are in unfamiliar territory. Obama’s backing of an as-yet-undefined procedure to choose a new nominee portends a Democratic Party civil war, even as the Clintons are uniting behind Harris. Though some party insiders may choose a different candidate, it is certain that other powerful personalities will support Kamala Harris in her bid to succeed her.
The Clintons and the establishment wing, who support Harris, are on one side of the debate. Conversely, progressive factions and possibly other influential individuals consider Harris to be a poor contender, a view that is indeed accurate.
It appears that an open convention is still inevitable, and that may become a very polarizing arena where many groups compete to dominate and shape the party’s future.
The Democratic National Convention is just one month away, leaving Democrats with little time to divide. The longer the Republican Party remains united behind Trump, and the longer the Democrats fail to produce a presumed contender, the more Trump benefits. Democrats must clean up their mess, which won’t be fun.
Author: Scott Dowdy
