Four names are being discussed as Biden replacements
US-President Biden missed the great opportunity to contain Trump during the TV duel and instead experienced a catastrophic evening. Can he be replaced? Possible successors for President Biden among the Democrats are lining up. Who are they?
Panic, that's the mood among US Democrats after President Joe Biden's TV duel with Challenger Donald Trump - so say party insiders unanimously. Only 32% of US voters believed before the duel that Biden was mentally and physically capable of carrying out his duties. This value may now have dropped further. Discussions have begun: Can it continue? Or could Biden be replaced with about four months left before the election? Theoretically, it's possible. But who could do it? Three to four names are circulating. Here's an overview:
Kamala Harris
First and foremost, there's Vice President Kamala Harris. She ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020 but couldn't (or wouldn't) effectively distinguish herself in the race after a strong campaign start. As Biden's representative, she initially made an unremarkable figure and was supposed to deal with the migration crisis at the southern border. The results are disappointing, as the Republicans are using the crisis for campaigning. However, Harris has taken on more tasks in recent months.
The 59-year-old expresses herself repeatedly on abortion rights, a crucial issue for many voters, especially women. Biden's leadership over Trump on this issue has become more pronounced in recent months. In the White House, Harris also heads the new department against gun violence. She also intervenes in the Israel conflict, attends high-level talks, or demands more attention for the Palestinian side. A clear signal to young progressive voters, who are highly critical of Biden or have already turned away from him. In a potential match-up, Harris currently stands at 43%, Trump at 46%, according to the renowned Emerson College in a survey.
Gavin Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom fares poorly, who is also considered a Biden replacement. He comes in at only 36% against Trump's 46%. California is a stronghold for Democrats. The governor has frequently intervened in national politics and has vigorously campaigned for Biden. "Gavin Newsom will be President, the question is just when," a Democratic party strategist said at the end of last year. "He's positioning himself."
When it seemed possible that Ron DeSantis, his colleague from Florida, could secure the Republican nomination, Newsom engaged in a political feud against him. In December, there was even a heated TV debate between the two governors. Newsom boasts of the lowest crime rate in California in 50 years and a pro-abortion rights policy. His second and last possible term as governor ends in January 2027.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is also being discussed, according to the latest survey, she only had outside chances against Trump: she came in at 33 percent, while the Republicans had 45 percent. The 52-year-old is a popular target of attacks from the Trump camp. During his tenure in the White House, militia members planned to overthrow the Michigan state government and kidnap Whitmer before the 2020 election. The FBI got wind of it and thwarted the coup. Several individuals involved in the plot were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Under Whitmer's administration, the collective bargaining rights of unions in the state were fully restored. The United Auto Workers then secured one of the highest wage agreements of the past decades, after leading strikes at the "Big Three" - General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (Ex-Chrysler) - in Detroit. When the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. overturned abortion rights, Whitmer kept it in effect with a lawsuit. "Don't mess with American women; we are strong and we resist and we win," the governor said in response. Furthermore, the state began replacing the still widespread lead water pipes under her. Whitmer's second term ends in early 2027.
Another potential replacement candidate is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Some call him boring or too smooth, while others see him as the Democrats' ace in the hole. Shapiro has visible potential. During his 2022 campaign, when he was supported by former President Barack Obama, a fiery speech about the importance of "real freedom" made headlines in the media. Shapiro had served the Democrats for years before defeating the Republican Doug Mastriano. He wanted to ban abortions without exception, introduce new voting restrictions, and was supported by Trump. No wonder, as Mastriano had rented several buses that brought later insurgents to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Pennsylvania is one of the key states in the political struggle for the presidency; it went to the Democrats in 2020 only extremely narrowly. Biden, who is from Pennsylvania and has a strong union connection, is not particularly popular there, and according to a regional survey, he would get 42 percent against Trump (41 percent). However, 65 percent of voters in the state believe Biden does not deserve re-election. Shapiro, on the other hand, would hold Trump to excellent 48 percent to 37 percent. However, his political results so far have been disappointing, and most of his campaign promises have not been implemented. The 50-year-old is the biggest newcomer among the four and has time for his next political step: he could still be in office until early 2031 if re-elected.
So far, none of these four have spoken out. But they will certainly have to consider good answers soon. After all, they are being asked now.
In the discussions about replacing President Biden before the 2024 US presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris is one of the names being suggested. According to a survey by Emerson College, Harris currently stands at 43% against Donald Trump's 46%.
Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, is also being considered as a potential replacement for Biden. However, he trails behind Trump in the polls, with only 36% of the vote compared to Trump's 46%.
