If Joe Biden bails on the presidential race, what’s next?

Joe Biden says he’s staying in the race against Donald Trump, despite the growing pressure from Democratic donors, senior figures, and lawmakers. They’re worried about his declining poll numbers and his age.

But what if Biden does step down? What then?

Kamala Harris: The natural successor?

So, Biden insists he’s in it to win it. But there’s a lot of chatter. The Dems believe that if Biden drops out, it would be the best thing to keep Trump out of the White House. The replacement process could captivate the nation and give the lefties a fresh start. 

Buttttttttt…

Biden can’t just hand over the reins to Kamala Harris. Sure, he can endorse her. She’s got a high profile and the campaign funds already in place. But the final decision lies with the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in mid-August. 

These delegates aren’t bound to endorse a running mate. They are expected to “in good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.” As the rules say.

Now almost all 4,000 delegates are committed to Biden from the primaries. But Biden could release them and endorse Harris, pushing for a faster nominating process.

After the first ballot, delegates can vote for any candidate. Harris has the edge to replace Biden since she’s already part of his campaign, though her popularity isn’t that much higher.

Few others have been fully vetted or have teams in place, and there’s a sensitivity to pushing aside a Black, female candidate. Other potential contenders are California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear.

The trump factor and democratic division

While Trump was soaking up applause at the Republican convention in Milwaukee, a Covid-stricken Biden was home struggling to keep his re-election bid alive.

Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden’s campaign chair, insisted on Friday that Biden would stay in the race, despite the mounting pressure. Her exact words were:

“Absolutely the president is in this race. Joe Biden is more committed than ever to beat Donald Trump, and we believe in this campaign. We are built for the close election that we are in, and we see the path forward.”

Still, the possibility of Biden stepping down is a hot topic in both Washington and at Trump’s coronation as the Republican nominee in Milwaukee.

Trump and his team mocked the chaos among Democrats, showing confidence that they could beat any opponent the Democrats might field. Seven more Democratic lawmakers, including a third US senator, have called for Biden to withdraw from the race.

Four House members released a joint statement saying it was time for the 81-year-old president to “pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.” They added: 

“We must face the reality that widespread public concerns about your age and fitness are jeopardizing what should be a winning campaign.”

House Democrats Sean Casten and Greg Landsman also urged Biden to drop out on Friday morning. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich became the third Democratic senator to suggest Biden step aside, joining Jon Tester of Montana and Vermont’s Peter Welch.

Heinrich said:

“This moment in our nation’s history calls for a focus that is bigger than any one person,” adding it was “in the best interests of our country” for Biden to end his campaign.

Biden remained defiant, saying on Twitter that he looked forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week and continue exposing the threat of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda.