The first U.S. presidential debate has heightened concerns among Democrats, sparking speculation about potential replacements for President Joe Biden in the run-up to the November 5 election.
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Is Biden considering withdrawal?
Biden appeared tired and disoriented during his confrontation with Republican challenger Donald Trump, a total debacle for the U.S. president. While publicly, Democrats continue to support the White House incumbent, internally there is talk about asking him to step down, but time is running short.
The issue now would be the delegates won during the primaries, 95% of which would be back up for grabs. Regardless, U.S. media are already circulating several possible names.
The top six are Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Michelle Obama. Meanwhile, on Fox News, Trump has confirmed that Biden “will be” the Democratic candidate for the White House.
The 6 possible replacements if Biden withdraws
These are the 6 names considered the most eligible for substituting Joe Biden in the Democratic race to the White House:
Kamala Harris
One of the possible successors is Vice President Kamala Harris. If Biden were to resign immediately, she would automatically succeed him as president, but she would not become the Democratic candidate by default.
She could be politically favored if he abandons his re-election bid, but Biden’s delegates would not automatically transfer to Harris, although the president could endorse her.
Gavin Newsom
Another top contender to replace Biden is California Governor Gavin Newsom. Young and handsome, he also served as the mayor of San Francisco for seven years. Before that, he founded a winery in the exclusive Napa Valley.
His profile might convince Democrats, even though Fox News notes that Newsom has publicly confirmed his support for the current president. “I look forward to voting for him in November,” he said, adding that the party “could not be more completely united” if Biden were to step aside.
Gretchen Whitmer
Another potential candidate is Gretchen Whitmer, an attorney and former prosecutor. She was the first female Democratic leader of the Senate and became governor of Michigan in 2018.
The 52-year-old also served as co-chair of Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. She gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for standing up to Donald Trump, who fueled protests against the restrictions she imposed.
J. B. Pritzker
J. B. Pritzker is the governor of Illinois. His family, which owns the global Hyatt hotel chain, is considered among the wealthiest in the United States. He is also seen as a possible alternative to Joe Biden for the Democratic Party.
Wes Moore
Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, is often suggested on social media as a young and energetic solution that could lead the Democrats to victory.
The wild card: Michelle Obama
The name of Michelle Obama continues to be floated as a potential unifier for the Democrats. Her presence is seen as reassuring and capable of bringing together the various factions of the party.
However, the former first lady has consistently dismissed the idea, emphasizing her intention not to return to the White House.
The concerns about Biden’s health and age
Concerns about Joe Biden’s health and eligibility to continue as the next U.S. president have intensified following his lackluster performance in the first presidential debate.
Observers noted Biden appeared tired and disoriented, raising questions about his ability to effectively lead the country. Internally, discussions have begun among Democrats about the possibility of asking Biden to step aside, although publicly the party continues to support him.
The situation is complicated by the challenge of reassigning delegates won during the primaries if Biden were to withdraw from the race. As speculation swirls, alternative candidates like Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker, Wes Moore, and even Michelle Obama are being discussed as potential replacements, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Biden’s future in the election.
Read also: The 10 key points of Biden’s electoral program for the 2024 presidential elections
