The first presidential debate is done and the aftermath has not been good for the incumbent, Joe Biden.

Some Democrat politicians and operatives reportedly texted CNN commentators with hopes that Mr Biden, 81, would step aside. Some floated the possibility of going to the White House and publicly stating concerns about him remaining as candidate.

But if Mr Biden were to drop out, it would be a free-for-all. There is no official mechanism for him or anyone else in the party to choose his successor, meaning Democrats would be left with an open (Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago from August 19-22.

  • EnderMB@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    But…isn’t this the point of having a VP?

    It feels very reactionary, especially on something that doesn’t really affect voters by all that much. If Biden announced a popular VP candidate, they can lead with that person being ready to step up if required.

    • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      That’s the thing, Harris isn’t popular. Even her own staff hates her.

      Biden would ideally have to replace her with a stronger candidate and step down as President. Neither is likely to happen.

      • NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml
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        2 days ago

        The public dislikes Harris, for the same reasons I could see her becoming the de-facto president by remaining in her position. Big business interests and Donors would love to have an empty-suit like her to push around.

    • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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      2 days ago

      The VP is a solution if he dies, it’s not a solution for him being unable to fight his own battles on the campaign trail. If he gets elected, I’m not worried about his age. He can resign or be puppetted by his staff or VP and things will be fine. But there’s no such solution for the campaign itself.

    • ryathal@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      He’s stuck there too, because he promised last election to have a woman of color. He would get attacked even more from his side if he dropped her, and if there was a better candidate that checked the diversity boxes they wouldn’t have picked Kamala

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      That VP candidate would be doing so much we’d all be openly wondering why they weren’t the nominee in the first place.