The white house sees no real challenger for Harris
After stepping down as presidential candidate, Biden and several leading Democrats express support for Harris as replacement. The US government is not expected to reckon with serious challengers. At the same time, voices calling for an open process are also emerging.
According to information from the AP news agency, the White House is optimistic that after Biden's withdrawal, his vice president Kamala Harris will be confirmed as the Democratic presidential candidate. There is not expected to be a serious challenger for Harris, as Biden declared his support for her as a replacement, AP learned from informed sources within the US government.
Before Biden's withdrawal was announced, besides Harris, the governors of California, Gavin Newsom, and Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, were also mentioned as potential candidates. Whitmer had already ruled out, and Newsom emphasized that he would support Harris if she was nominated.
It is also considered unlikely that other potential candidates like the governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Roy Cooper of North Carolina, who expressed their support for Harris after Biden's endorsement, will enter the ring.
Biden-Campaign team changes name
US Vice President Kamala Harris can already fully rely on Biden's campaign machine. Biden's campaign team officially changed its name to "Harris for President" on Sunday. In an email, Biden called on his supporters to now donate money for Harris' campaign. He wrote that making her his vice president was the best decision he had made.
In addition to Biden's campaign team, several other Democratic supporter groups have already filed a name change request. This made it clear shortly after Biden's withdrawal that Harris' nomination as the candidate of the Democratic Party will only be difficult to accept. Biden and several other leading Democrats expressed their support for her as a replacement candidate.
Senator calls for open process
However, some Democrats are avoiding a confirmation of Vice President Kamala Harris as the preferred candidate for the presidency. Senator Peter Welch calls for an open process for the nomination of Harris or another person. Welch was the first Democratic senator to call for Biden's withdrawal as a candidate.
It is necessary to reach a consensus within the party, continue President Biden's legacy, and the ability to defeat the Republican candidate Trump, Welch demands. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not commented on Harris or other potential candidates.
Following Biden's announcement of withdrawing from the US Presidential Election 2024, his vice president, Kamala Harris, is expected to be the chosen Democratic candidate, as stated by the White House and supported by Biden himself. In contrast, Senator Peter Welch advocates for an open process in the nomination, believing it's crucial to reach a party consensus, continue Biden's legacy, and ensure a victory against potential Republican challengers like Trump.
