President Joe Biden, who is currently suffering from COVID-19, is facing growing pressure from Democrats to withdraw from the US presidential election, with leading figures including Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer calling for the 81-year-old to withdraw.
Biden has made multiple attempts to gain the trust of party members but has so far failed, and if reports are to be believed, the 81-year-old is set to make a “big announcement” about his presidential bid on Friday evening.
“People close to senior Democratic Party officials said Thursday that it appears to be a question of when Biden will withdraw from the presidential race, not if he will. Former President Barack Obama has told friends he has called in recent days that Biden’s path to victory is narrow, according to people familiar with the calls.” The New York Times report.
Given this development, let’s look at what would happen if Biden were to withdraw.
Biden easily won the Democratic primary and is expected to be selected as the Democratic presidential nominee in a virtual vote in early August ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
What happens if Biden withdraws?
If Biden drops out of the race before this happens, the Democratic Party’s more than 4,000 delegates would be free to vote for a new candidate in a virtual vote in August.
Under Democratic National Convention rules, if no candidate receives a majority on the first ballot, more than 700 “superdelegates” may join in subsequent votes.
Under Democratic National Committee rules, voting will continue until one candidate receives a simple majority.
What happens if Biden doesn’t withdraw before the August vote?
Even if Biden is selected as the Democratic presidential nominee in August, the party would likely have to find a replacement if he subsequently dies, resigns or becomes disabled in some way.
In such a scenario, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison would consult with the Democratic Governors Association and congressional Democratic leaders about identifying a successor in accordance with party rules.
The chairman would then submit a report to the committee, which would have the “power to fill the vacancy” and then a process would be undertaken to find a replacement candidate.
If Biden withdraws, who is the most likely Democratic nominee?
Most reports suggest that if Biden were to withdraw, Democrats would likely turn to current Vice President Kamala Harris as their front-runner.
Harris, 59, is a veteran of American politics. CNBCIf she wins, all the money the Biden campaign has raised during the current election cycle will go to her.
Other prominent Democrats such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and California Governor Gavin Newsom have also been mentioned as potential replacements, but nearly all of them have made it clear they will not run for president in 2024.
Published July 19, 2024 11:11 IST
