A new poll indicates Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading contender to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket if he withdraws from the 2024 presidential race. Biden’s recent underwhelming debate performance has intensified discussions within the Democratic Party about the need for a potential replacement.
The Data for Progress poll, conducted last Friday, revealed Harris as the top pick among Democratic voters, with 39% favoring her as Biden's replacement. The poll surveyed 1,011 likely voters, including 387 Democrats, and carries a margin of error of three percentage points. California Governor Gavin Newsom followed with 18%, while Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg garnered 10% support.
Does anyone remember Kamala's 2020 presidential campaign and why – despite massive advantages (swooning media coverage, a debate where she called Biden a racist, major California cash) – she had to drop out before the first vote because even the Dem base couldn't stand her? pic.twitter.com/8p1ao9Fggi
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) July 3, 2024
Despite the growing momentum for Harris, Biden’s campaign has firmly stated that the president is not stepping down. "Joe Biden is not dropping out," campaign spokesman Seth Schuster reiterated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to the re-election bid.The discussions about Biden's replacement reflect broader concerns about his viability as a candidate due to his age and recent performance issues. "Folks, I don’t walk as easy as I used to… But I know how to do this job," Biden responded at a recent rally, aiming to reassure supporters about his capability to lead.
If Biden were to step aside, the Democratic Party would face the challenge of selecting a new nominee through a convention process, a system that has not been activated in decades. This scenario could trigger an open and unpredictable race among various Democratic leaders, including Harris, Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and others.
BUT I always knew she would topple Jover Bidone one day :
‘That Little Girl Was Me 'pic.twitter.com/1vkEOt2xMS
— Andrew Fisher (@acpandy) July 3, 2024
The polling data also shows significant support for other candidates: Senator Cory Booker received 7%, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer 6%, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker each at 2%. However, Harris remains the most favored, partly due to her current role and visibility within the administration.
The prospect of replacing Biden is fraught with uncertainty and potential risks. Political analysts caution that a new candidate would need to rapidly gain favorability on the national stage, which could prove challenging. "A Biden replacement is just as easy to take a beating in his or her favorability after being vetted on the national scene," noted Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science at University College London.
As the Democratic Party navigates this complex situation, the focus remains on maintaining unity and presenting a strong candidate capable of challenging the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in the 2024 election.
In summary, while Vice President Kamala Harris currently stands as the top choice to replace President Biden, the path to such a transition is layered with procedural and political hurdles. The Democratic Party must weigh these considerations carefully as they approach the 2024 presidential race.
