On Wednesday, July 24, after weeks of resisting the notion of dropping out of the presidential race, Joe Biden told the nation in a televised primetime speech from the Oval Office that he was not seeking reelection.
He said he was doing it for the good of the country, that “nothing can come in the way of serving our democracy, and that includes personal ambition.” He also said, “The best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.” He then endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party candidate for president.
President Biden made no direct reference to the status of his health nor reported mental decline that became a focus of commentary in the media following his floundering performance during the presidential debate with Donald Trump some four weeks earlier.
Afterward, while Democrats rallied in support of Biden when he emphatically stated he wasn’t dropping out, many are now readily endorsing Vice President Harris as Biden’s replacement on the ticket. Most notably, while publicly stating, “It’s up to the president to decide,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continued to pressure Biden with polling data, identifying growing antipathy, and referencing his legacy.
Apparently, the combination seemingly provided Mr. Biden with a rationale to step down with his dignity intact. Pelosi’s endorsement of Harris foreshadows her view that Democrats can unite to defeat Trump on November 5.
Pelosi may be right. Since Sunday afternoon, July 21, when Biden first released a statement on X announcing his withdrawal from the reelection campaign, party supporters donated more than $100 million by Monday evening. Harris had received preliminary endorsements from a majority of Democratic delegates. On Wednesday, July 24, the Democratic National Committee met to discuss the next steps in the nominating process.
The party is in uncharted water; there is little precedent for a new candidate to assume the candidacy for president so late in the game.
The DNC intends to hold a virtual roll call vote of delegates that would formalize a Harris nomination by August 7th and before the party’s convention in Chicago on August 19.
Technically, Harris is not the new presumptive nominee, as delegates remain free to vote for the candidate of their choice at the Democratic National Convention.
In spite of this newfound momentum, some Democrats seem hesitant to endorse Kamala. On the Sunday of Biden’s initial announcement of withdrawal, Barack Obama stated he has “confidence that leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.” The presumptive nominee must win the support of the majority of delegates through a primary election process.
So, will this initial excitement for Harris last? Seemingly, she and most Democrats are currently experiencing a honeymoon phase. The question is, in the next three months, will they actually be spending quality time together and creating memories that will last a lifetime? Harris’s endorsements are political, and Dems are betting on her to win. Effectively, she is being pushed into the nomination.
Yet, as Harris is being characterized as the next generation's savior of democracy, how will she move forward in a co-leadership role with Biden, who has declared his sufficiency as president through the remainder of his term?
How soon will the sterling platitudes that accompany Biden’s selfless withdrawal become tarnished reminders of America’s decline? However prominent the focus on President Biden’s health has been, the election will ultimately be decided on policies. And as perennial political candidate Marianne Williamson has noted, “No one should simply be anointed to the position of nominee; all candidates must be heard and their agendas explored.
…We cannot save our democracy without practicing it ourselves.”
Peter Wibell, Rutledge