There is a growing sentiment among Democratic lawmakers that President Joe Biden should step aside and allow Vice President Kamala Harris to helm the ticket in the upcoming 2024 race against former President Donald Trump. California Rep. Mark Takano is one of the thirty-six Democrats on Capitol Hill who have publicly called on Biden to exit the race, citing concerns about his age and ability to win in November. These concerns have only intensified after Biden’s stumbling performance in a debate against Trump on June 27.
Takano and other lawmakers believe that the demands of a modern campaign are best met by Vice President Harris, who they see as the rightful heir to the top of the ticket. With a campaign war chest of at least $91 million, Harris is seen as a strong contender who can seamlessly transition into the role of the Democratic Party’s standard bearer. The sentiment is that Harris is better equipped to lead the party to victory in 2024, given the current political climate and challenges facing the nation.
Despite Biden’s defiant commitment to remaining in the race, dozens of Democratic lawmakers, donors, and strategists have called on him to drop out. The Democratic Party is facing deep divisions over Biden’s re-election bid, with some members pushing for an open convention to select a new nominee. Takano’s public statement on Saturday has only added to the pressure on Biden to reconsider his decision and pass the torch to Vice President Harris.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have remained “deferential” on Biden’s decision to continue his campaign. While they have not publicly called on Biden to drop out, they have actively tried to maintain donors’ support for his campaign. The Clintons have signaled that they are willing to help in any way they can, but they are also waiting to see what path forward the president chooses.
As President Biden continues to recuperate from Covid in Rehoboth Beach, Del., concerns about his health and ability to return to the campaign trail have heightened. Biden’s campaign has defiantly rejected the mounting drop-out pressure, pledging that he will resume campaigning once he is Covid-free. Despite this, the president’s health remains a top concern for many within the Democratic Party who fear that his current health condition could impact his ability to run a successful campaign.
In the absence of President Biden, Vice President Harris has taken on the responsibility of shouldering the campaign’s message. She has actively voiced her support for Biden and reiterated her commitment to winning the election. Harris’s involvement in campaign events and fundraisers signals that she is ready to lead the Democratic Party in the upcoming race, should Biden decide to step aside.
The growing calls for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race in favor of Vice President Harris highlight the deep divisions within the Democratic Party over the current nominee’s ability to win against Trump. While Biden remains committed to staying in the race, the mounting pressure from lawmakers and party members may force him to reconsider his decision. As the campaign season heats up, all eyes are on Biden to see whether he will heed the calls to pass the torch to Harris and give the Democratic Party a better chance at victory in the upcoming election.
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