US Election - How it goes on after Joe Biden's withdrawal
In the coming days, members of Biden's Democratic Party, according to their chairman Jaime Harrison, will initiate a "transparent and orderly process" to determine a candidate or a candidate for the official nomination.
Delegates from all 50 US states, the capital Washington D.C., and the overseas territories will participate in the Nomination Convention in August. Biden won the primaries with a large margin. The 3900 delegates, who will travel to Chicago starting from August 19, are actually obligated to vote for him.
High-ranking Democrats had planned to nominate Biden before the convention through an online vote. After Biden's withdrawal, it is unclear whether this meeting will take place. The nomination of a replacement candidate ultimately lies in the hands of the delegates.
Quick Search for a Replacement for Joe Biden
"Our delegates are ready to take their responsibility seriously to present the American people with a candidate quickly," Party Chief Harrison emphasized and added that the process would be regulated by the established rules and procedures of the party.
Late candidate switches could take US politics back to a time when party bosses fought in smoky backrooms and endless ballot counts to determine a candidate.
On March 31, 1968, then-President Lyndon Johnson shocked the public with his announcement that he would not run again. The late announcement before the election turned the convention into a political crisis. There were protests on the streets, and the party left was angry about the nomination of Vietnam War supporter Hubert Humphrey. After this debacle, the states took the primary process more seriously, and the results of the nomination conventions have been largely set in advance since then.
An obvious, if unannounced, successor for Biden could be Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden strengthened with his endorsement shortly after his withdrawal announcement. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke out in favor of Harris quickly.
Not Only Kamala Harris is an Option
Besides the Vice President, a whole series of democratic politicians could be encouraged to run. The Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, and the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, were mentioned in the past. Another promising candidate, California Governor Gavin Newsom, spoke out for Harris as a presidential candidate on Sunday.
Biden's withdrawal from the race could theoretically also open the door for a candidate from a third party. However, the two dominant parties in the US political system currently face no real threat from an independent candidate. In 1992, billionaire Ross Perot from Texas came close to 19% of the votes as an Independent, but ultimately did not receive any of the votes that matter in a US presidential election, namely the votes of the Electoral College, whose 538 members ultimately decide the election.
The role of the US-President, should Joe Biden decide to step down, would then fall to Vice President Kamala Harris. This scenario, while not confirmed, is being advocated by notable figures such as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The city of Chicago, where the Democratic Party's Nomination Convention is set to take place in August, could potentially witness a significant political shift if a replacement for Biden is needed.
Amidst speculations about a replacement, it's important to note that the US Election process is regulated, ensuring a fair and orderly selection of candidates, as emphasized by Party Chairman Jaime Harrison.
