As the political landscape in the United States continues to evolve, President Joe Biden is reportedly grappling with increasing calls to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, amid his isolation in Delaware due to COVID-19.
Notably, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is said to be strategizing to prevent an automatic nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris, should Biden decide to step down.
According to The Independent, Pelosi, a seasoned representative from California, is keen on preventing Harris from automatically becoming the Democratic candidate if Biden withdraws. This comes on the heels of reports that Pelosi privately advised Biden that he stands no chance against Donald Trump in the upcoming November elections. Pelosi's stance, however, is not a reflection of opposition to a Harris-led ticket. Instead, she advocates for an open nomination process at the forthcoming Democratic National Convention. Pelosi believes that Harris, or any other potential candidate, would be fortified by earning the nomination, as reported by The New York Times.
Echoing Pelosi's sentiments, Representative Zoe Lofgren, a fellow California Democrat, stated on MSNBC, Should he make that decision, there will have to be quick steps. I dont think we can do a coronation, but obviously the vice president would be the leading candidate. An open convention, which could materialize if Biden withdraws, would necessitate new candidates to persuade delegates previously pledged to Biden to support their nomination.
Pelosi is not alone in her sentiments. A growing chorus of thirty Democratic lawmakers and several influential public figures have urged President Biden to relinquish his candidacy. Among them, Representative Seth Moulton of Massachusetts penned an op-ed for The Boston Globe, expressing concern over Biden's recognition abilities. Moulton wrote, Of course, that can happen as anyone ages but, as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem.
Adding to the voices of concern, Representatives Adam Schiff and Jamie Raskin, both members of the January 6 congressional committee, have joined the call for Biden to step aside. Schiff cautioned in a statement that a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the President can defeat Donald Trump in November.
In a poignant letter to Biden, Raskin warned that everything we believe in is on the line in the next four-and-a-half months and that we have an overriding obligation to defeat the forces of resurgent monarchy and oppression. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, Everything else pales in comparison to this struggle.
As the political drama unfolds, an anonymous Democratic strategist voiced concerns to The Hill about the lack of a clear victory plan from Biden's campaign. The strategist stated, What everyone has said is we need to see more and, frankly, the last two weeks has been worse than the actual debate in a lot of ways because they havent put a plan together and havent executed it. As the clock ticks towards the November elections, the Democratic party finds itself at a crossroads, with the future of its leadership hanging in the balance.
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