Unexpected Exit Following Debate Stumbles and Assassination Attempt on Trump Sets the Stage for a Tumultuous Democratic National Convention
President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, igniting a fierce battle for the nomination. This surprising decision follows a series of challenging events, including a shaky debate performance against former President Donald Trump and an assassination attempt on Trump himself.
Biden’s exit has opened the field for several high-profile Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. While Harris is viewed as a frontrunner due to legal constraints on campaign funds, her low favorability ratings have raised concerns about her electability.
The Democratic National Convention, set to begin on August 19 in Chicago, will be the stage for this heated contest. The nearly 4,000 delegates previously pledged to Biden will need to rally around a new candidate quickly, as a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden is expected to be finalized by August 7.
Biden’s decision to step aside came after a series of embarrassing revelations and mounting concerns within the Democratic establishment. Senior party leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, warned Biden about bleak polling data. Former President Barack Obama reportedly confided in allies that he had lost confidence in Biden’s path to another term.
Biden’s re-election bid, launched in April 2023, faced significant challenges from the start. Despite his efforts, voter concerns about his age and mental acuity persisted. A New York Times/Siena College poll released just before his debate with Trump showed that 70% of respondents felt Biden was too old to be commander in chief. His performance in the debate, where he appeared infirm and incoherent at times, led to panic within the Democratic establishment and calls for him to step aside.
Biden maintained after the debate that he had what it takes to continue as president, but the pressure from within his party became insurmountable. Notable figures like actor George Clooney, who hosted a $30 million Los Angeles fundraiser for Biden, also called on him to relinquish the nomination, citing a noticeable decline in his capabilities.
The president’s exit from the race is unprecedented, marking the first time a sitting president has dropped out of a re-election race after formally declaring their candidacy, actively campaigning, and winning the required number of delegates. Only a handful of incumbent presidents have opted not to seek a second term, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry S. Truman, and Calvin Coolidge.
As the Democratic National Convention approaches, the party faces a critical juncture. The withdrawal of Biden sets the stage for a tumultuous and highly competitive race for the Democratic nomination. The outcome of this battle will shape the party’s strategy and prospects for the 2024 presidential election, with high stakes for both the Democratic Party and the nation.
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