"This is the best opportunity for Biden to protect the soul of the nation and the cause that made him is running for president in 2019", writes the "New York Times". in a joint editorial calling for the US president to withdraw from the fight for a second term.
Similar calls are coming from different directions after the first debate between the two front-runners for the White House, which observers, pundits and even Democratic Party supporters described as a disaster for Biden. In his first appearance since the debate, however, the US president did not indicate that he was thinking about withdrawing. Can his nomination then be changed at the last moment?
Last minute rule change?
The Democratic presidential nomination will be formally decided in August, when the Democratic National Convention will be held. At it, the delegates will vote for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. But their vote is predetermined by the primaries that have already taken place in all states. On them, Biden was the clear winner. According to party rules, the obligation for delegates to vote in accordance with the results of the primary vote is lifted only if Biden declares that he is withdrawing from the race. However, he has already stated that he intends to continue.
The rules of the National Party Congress are determined by the party itself. But the Democratic leadership can still change the rules before the convention begins on August 19 in Chicago. But this is unlikely until Biden withdraws his candidacy, explains German public media ZDF.
Kamala Harris instead of Biden?
The American president has again chosen former California senator Kamala Harris as his vice president. But that does not automatically mean she will be the presidential nominee if he withdraws.
If Biden ends his campaign, Harris will be just one of many potential candidates. That means she, like other contenders for the nomination, will likely have to campaign among delegates at the Democratic National Convention. This has not happened since 1960, when John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson fought for the vote at the party convention in Los Angeles.
Who can apply?
Since the televised debate, various names of Democrats who have already shown interest in the White House position, though not in this election, have been discussed in the public space. Among them are the governors of California, Michigan and Pennsylvania - Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer and Josh Shapiro. The representatives of the left wing of the party, who have already fought for the nomination in 2020 - Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar - may also be interested in the nomination. However, Sanders himself is 82 years old. Buttigieg is part of the Biden administration.
Could it lead to legal disputes?
Conservative groups in the party have already announced plans to file lawsuits if Biden's nomination is withdrawn at the last minute. Subject matter expert Elaine Kamarck, who also works as an expert for the Democratic Party, says such cases would have no merit. “The Constitution clearly says that the responsibility lies with the parties,” she explained in an interview. “The nomination of party representatives is the work of the political parties.“
This process must begin, however, with a request from Biden himself that he is ready to step down and admit that “there is no longer enough reason to be the Democratic nominee this year”, as the “New York Times” writes.< /p>
Alexander Detev (editor)