President Biden officially drops out of the 2024 race
Image: Screenshot/AP
In a letter published yesterday afternoon, President Biden announced his immediate withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, saying he plans to “focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
- Biden’s decision comes after escalating pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following his widely panned performance at the June 27 presidential debate.
- And with less than four months until November’s election, it marks the latest point in US history at which a major party candidate dropped out of the presidential race voluntarily.
So… what happens now? Biden has accrued 80+% of all Democratic delegates over the past several months by winning primary elections across the country. These delegates would typically vote for Biden at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next month.
However, Biden’s decision to step aside releases his delegates from their previous commitments, potentially sparking a competition among other Democratic presidential hopefuls.
- Biden officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the nominee yesterday, with many high-profile Democrats and donors following suit.
- Other top Democratic figures, including former President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and current congressional leaders, have held off on an endorsement thus far.
- Outside of Harris, several Democratic governors have been floated as possible replacements for Biden, including Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and JB Pritzker of Illinois.
What about the campaign funds Biden has already raised? The Biden-Harris campaign and allied Democratic committees had $240+ million in the bank at the end of May, though experts disagree on how readily Harris will be able to access those funds.
- Because Harris is also on Biden’s campaign filing documents, many experts believe the money could legally be transferred over to her if she takes the top spot on the ticket.
- However, some argue Biden would need to be officially nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate before a transfer could be made.
Looking ahead… The Democratic presidential candidate will be decided either through reviving the pre-1968 open convention process during the DNC (August 19–22), or in a virtual roll call vote planned for early August.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Democrats should now hold an open convention to select Biden’s replacement, and Harris shouldn’t be nominated by default when other good options are ready and willing to throw their hats in the ring.
- Others contend that Biden should be lauded for placing America’s interests above his own pride and ambition, and his move greatly increases the chance that Democrats can protect the nation from the dangers of returning Donald Trump to the presidency.
- “With Biden stepping aside, Democrats must now embrace an open process” –WaPo Editorial Board
- “Biden Made a Courageous Choice. Democrats Must Seize the Opportunity.” –NY Times Editorial Board
- “Biden’s decision not to seek nomination was courageous” –LA Times Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that Biden’s decision to step down from the race is in the best interest of America, even if it comes far too late, and say Democrats should pay some electoral price for their complicity in covering for Biden’s growing infirmity for so long.
- Others contend that Biden should take the next logical step and resign the presidency, since he’s clearly unable to serve for another six months – let alone another four and a half years – and shouldn’t be allowed to remain in the position.
- “The Voters Prevail Against Biden” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Joe Biden Should Resign the Presidency” –National Review Editorial Board
- “Is a replacement really stronger against Trump than Biden would have been?” –Timothy P. Carney, Washington Examiner
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