President Biden’s debate performance on Thursday night has raised concerns among Democrats and sparked discussions about the possibility of replacing him on the Democratic ticket for the 2024 presidential election. His lackluster performance, characterized by a raspy voice, facial expressions, rambling answers, and failure to refute lies from former President Trump, has left many questioning his ability to continue as the party’s nominee.
Despite calls for him to step aside, President Biden has made it clear that he has no intention of doing so. Campaign spokespersons Mia Ehrenberg and Michael Tyler have both stated that there are no conversations about replacing him on the ticket. In fact, President Biden himself addressed the issue at a campaign rally the following day, admitting that he may not debate as well as he used to but emphasizing that he knows how to get things done and bounce back from setbacks.
The question of whether President Biden should be replaced is ultimately up to the Democrats, but the process of replacing a party nominee according to Democratic National Committee rules is complex. Experts and DNC rules outline the steps that would need to be taken if President Biden were to voluntarily step aside.
According to John Fortier, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, replacing a party nominee like Mr. Biden is difficult and unlikely to happen. It would require President Biden’s voluntary agreement to step down, as he holds the majority of delegates from the primary process and most states have already completed their primaries. The timing of any potential replacement would likely occur before or during the Democratic convention, which is set to begin on August 19 in Chicago.
Derek Muller, a law professor at Notre Dame University specializing in election law, notes that while it may be legally easy for President Biden to step aside before the convention, it would be politically messy. However, there are no legal barriers preventing him from doing so as the presumptive Democratic nominee. If President Biden were to step aside before the convention, he would likely have significant influence over who would replace him on the ticket, with Vice President Kamala Harris being a probable candidate.
The decision to replace President Biden would have significant implications for the Democratic Party and the 2024 presidential election. While some may argue that a change in leadership is necessary to secure victory, others may view it as a disruptive and divisive move. Ultimately, the fate of the Democratic ticket lies in the hands of President Biden and the party as they navigate the complex process of potentially replacing their nominee.
