Fayetteville, North Carolina, July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt
Biden Ends Re-election Bid, Endorses Harris
President Joe Biden, 81, announced on Sunday his decision to end his re-election campaign while continuing to serve as president for the remainder of his term. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, stating, “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”
Challenges and Historical Precedents
Biden’s decision follows weeks of pressure from Democratic lawmakers and donors concerned about his ability to serve another four years. In the history of American democracy, voters have elected only one Black president and no women, prompting questions about Harris’s ability to overcome these barriers. LaTosha Brown, a political strategist and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, acknowledged, “Will her race and gender be an issue? Absolutely.”
Campaign Prospects
If nominated, Harris would have just over three months to campaign and unify the party and its donors. Despite these challenges, many Democrats are optimistic about her chances. Harris, 59, is two decades younger than Trump and a prominent advocate for abortion rights, an issue resonating with younger voters and the Democratic progressive base. Proponents argue she could energize these voters, consolidate Black support, and bring strong debating skills to challenge Trump.
Her candidacy would contrast with the Republican ticket of Trump and Senator J.D. Vance, both white men. Brown commented, “That to me is reflective of America’s past. She is reflective of America’s now and future.”
Concerns Within the Party
Despite recent praise for her defense of Biden, some Democrats remain concerned about Harris’s first two years in office, her brief 2020 presidential campaign, and the long history of racial and gender discrimination in the U.S. In a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, a July 15-16 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Harris and Trump tied with 44% support each. Harris’s approval ratings, while low, are slightly higher than Biden’s, with FiveThirtyEight reporting 38.6% approval for Harris compared to 38.5% for Biden.
Divergent Opinions
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Biden supporter, noted, “If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave that they will support Kamala – Vice President Harris – you would be mistaken. There’s no safe option.”
Supporters of Harris argue she has already endured unfair attacks related to her race and gender and is prepared for more. Jamal Simmons, a former Harris aide, stated, “America has a history of racism, sexism, so I’m sure that will factor into this conversation, factor into her campaign.” However, he added that her race and gender could also galvanize Black voters and women.
Comparisons with Other Potential Candidates
Harris enjoys greater name recognition than other potential Democratic candidates, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. According to Simmons, “While she has flaws and faults like everyone, we know those flaws and faults, so you can build a campaign with clarity. Any other candidates are complete unknowns.”
Internal Party Risks
A former Democratic lawmaker, speaking anonymously, suggested that Harris’s record posed a bigger risk than her race. Harris faced challenges early in her vice presidency, including staff turnover and limited progress on her assigned portfolios. The former lawmaker stated, “I think the race thing is just a compounding factor or an exacerbating factor. Any of it is going to be a gamble, but I like the odds with another candidate, even if that means Kamala at the top of the ticket.”
Trump’s Criticism and Historical Context
Critics have accused Trump of using racist and sexist language, explicitly and implicitly. In 2020, he questioned Harris’s eligibility for the vice presidency despite her U.S. citizenship by birth. At a recent rally, Trump mocked Harris’s laughter, calling her “Laughing Kamala” and describing her as “crazy.” Trump’s campaign dismissed accusations of disinformation and highlighted Harris’s past criticisms of Biden.
Advocacy for Reproductive Rights
Harris’s advocacy for reproductive rights has bolstered her standing within the party, particularly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Biden credited her with helping prevent a significant Republican victory in the midterm elections, and she has actively campaigned on abortion rights.
Potential Voter Reactions
Harris could inherit Biden’s strong support among Black voters, who were crucial in his 2020 nomination. However, some voters may blame her for concealing Biden’s frailties. Gina Gannon, a 65-year-old retiree from Georgia, expressed disillusionment, stating, “I’m kind of done with the Democrats. So many knew about Biden’s condition and hid it. Kamala was part of that.”
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