Even before the debate on June 27, during which American President Joe Biden, candidate for re-election, proved incapable of facing his rival from the Republican camp Donald Trump, the American press was buzzing with rumors about a possible change of candidate Democrat in the presidential election on November 5.
The short list circulating in the media included a handful of aspiring replacements, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Current Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was also on the list, as were Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
Kamala Harris or the art of denial
After the debate, this list was further expanded, as pointed out by The Guardian Who discusses six probable candidates including less obvious Democratic figures like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker or Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
Of course, many media outlets across the Atlantic point out, Joe Biden’s vice-president, Kamala Harris, naturally remains at the top of the list. But after three and a half years in office, she is still struggling to convince. She even found herself stuck in denial, following the debate on June 27, forced to defend not only Joe Biden’s performance, but also his record and his ability to preside over the United States.
Furthermore, “Kamala Harris would not automatically replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee if he were to withdraw simply because she is vice president,” underlines the Wall Street Journal. However, her status within the Democratic Party and her proximity to the White House could make her a viable candidate, “especially if Biden supports him by bowing out”.
The three scenarios of the Chicago convention
One thing is certain, the replacement of Joe Biden continues, as the Financial Times, to want “stay in the race and are already looking ahead to the second debate against Trump”, scheduled for September 10 on the ABC News channel, will not be easy.
Three scenarios emerge according to several American media including the Wall Street Journal.
First possibility, Joe Biden actually decides to stay in the race, in which case, underlines the newspaper:
“There is no possibility of another Democrat becoming the official candidate of the party.”
Second scenario: Joe Biden decides to withdraw, the Democrats will then be able to nominate a new official candidate during the Democratic National Convention which is to be held from August 19 to 22 in Chicago.
Finally, if Joe Biden decided to withdraw after the Democratic convention, it would complicate things for his party, “Party Chairman Jaime Harrison would then have to consult with governors and Democratic congressmen before deciding on a replacement.”.
