President Biden is now showing interest in whether Vice President Kamala Harris could defeat former President Trump in the 2024 election, as reported by the New York Times. Despite publicly stating his intention to stay in the race, the 81-year-old is reportedly considering Harris’s chances against Trump. Various polls indicate that Harris is performing as well as or even better than Biden when matched up against Trump, leading to calls from Democrats for Biden to step down.
Former Harris aide Ashley Etienne mentioned that Harris is currently auditioning for the job, and supporting her could benefit bolstering Biden whether he decides to step aside or not. Harris is seen as the most likely candidate to replace Biden, mainly due to her assumed access to the Biden-Harris campaign funds if the president were to withdraw. Other candidates would face challenges in accessing the significant amount of money donated throughout the campaign.
While many Democrats have rallied around Harris as Biden’s potential replacement, there are lingering questions about how she should transition into the role. Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp mentioned that most Democrats believe the process should be open and that Harris should win a contested convention fight to legitimize her candidacy. A recent poll found that about 60% of Democrats believe Harris would perform well as president, while 20% do not think she would, and another 20% are undecided.
Polls also indicate a decline in support for Biden among Democratic voters. A survey in Massachusetts showed that 64% of likely Democratic or Democratic-leaning voters prefer someone other than Biden to challenge Trump. Additionally, a national poll revealed that 65% of Democrats believe Biden should drop out of the race.
The White House has not responded to requests for comments regarding these developments. It seems that the Democratic Party is facing a critical moment as discussions about potential replacements for Biden gain momentum. The upcoming months will likely bring more clarity on the party’s direction leading up to the 2024 election.
