Concerns over the ability of President Joe Biden to effectively campaign for a second term in the White House, some Democrats have quietly discussed the possibility that the 80-year-old will not be the party’s nominee next year.
Fox News cited a recent CNN report in which a number of Democrats and party donors are considering ditching Biden as the party’s 2024 nominee. CNN cited “quiet whispers on the sidelines of events.”
The article also asserts that many in the Democratic Party establishment do not believe that Biden will be running for reelection.
The unnamed Democrats reportedly “feel like time is already running out and that the lack of the more robust campaign activity they want to see is a sign that his heart isn’t really in it.”
Should the president choose not to seek a second term, there are seemingly few high-profile options to fill the nomination.
The first may be Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris sought the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2020, finishing well behind candidates such as Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
There are two other declared candidates for the Democratic nomination. One is author and 2020 candidate Marianne Williamson, who has not held elected office. The second is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-NY).
Kennedy has received considerable attention in his run for the White House. The activist currently polls second behind Biden in national polls.
"Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to run for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination is supported by 31% of eligible voters who backed Joe Biden in the 2020 election, with just 20% opposed."https://t.co/QFKGSE0lL6
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) July 10, 2023
The other significant option may be California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom has developed a high profile in national politics, including inducing a high-profile feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
The California governor’s recent actions led to speculation that he was preparing for a 2024 campaign.
Newsom announced a proposal for a new constitutional amendment to restrict gun ownership rights. Furthermore, Newsom sat down for a well-publicized interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The California Democrat used the platform to tout his state and compare it positively to other large-population states such as Florida and Texas. Both Florida and Texas are dominated by the Republican Party.
