By: Serena Li
President Joe Biden’s unfocused and tongue-tied debate performance made some Democrats so concerned that they are calling for a new nominee to replace Biden, at the age of 81, in the run against former president Donald Trump, age 79.
However, replacing Biden as the party’s nominee less than five months before Election day on Nov 5, 2024, would be very challenging and complicated. Democrats could face legal challenges if they pursue replacing Biden in some swing states including Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada. For example, in Wisconsin, a candidate’s name can only be removed if he or she dies. In Nevada, the June 28 deadline for replacing candidates on the ballot already passed. However, in Georgia, the name has to be removed up to 60 days before the election, so Biden can still be replaced on the ballot. Other states do not have a clear procedure for removing a candidate’s name from the ballot.
Currently, the only probable way Biden could be replaced is if he decides to end his campaign himself, but his aides and top Democratic officials say that he doesn’t plan on doing so. Many democratic fundraisers are urging congressional leaders to convince Biden to drop out. Political historian Leah Wright Rigueur told BBC News, “that opens up an entirely different can of worms” if the President decides to drop out.
Even if he did drop out, there’s another difficult step which is to find an appropriate candidate to replace him. If Biden stepped down during the presidential term, Vice President Kamala Harris would automatically take his spot, but this procedure is not the same if Mr. Biden pulls out as a candidate for the election race in November. She will still have to get the majority votes from delegates, but she has a good chance because she is already on the Democratic ticket.
Other possible nominees include Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, but since 99% of almost 4,000 delegates chose Biden in the primary election, they aren’t very likely to replace him. Some are calling for Governors like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as possible replacements.
President Biden, at the age of 81, is being called to step down, and former President Trump is 79. Their age difference is very small but no one is calling on Trump to step down. The media focuses on what each individual does or doesn’t do, so having poor performances in public, especially a national televised debate, has more consequences compared to somewhere with a smaller audience.