A day that was in some ways historic for the United States: Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race for the White House. It had been more than 50 years since a candidate withdrew from the presidential race. The president immediately expressed his opinion support for Vice President Kamala Harris, “my first decision after being nominated in 2020 was to choose Kamala Harris as my vice president. And it was the best decision I made. Today I want to offer my full support and support for Kamala to be our party's candidate this year.” The candidacy of the vice president however, it is not a given, and the game between the Democrats is still open, between Obama's silences and the funding issues. The party, in fact, could choose another figure, perhaps a governor, and in any case the nomination would become official only with the convention scheduled for August 19-21. In the end, as often happens in politics, money is what matters.
Harris accepts the investiture: “I am honored, I will beat Trump”
Kamala Harris accepted Joe Biden's inauguration. "I'm honored. I will earn the nomination and beat Trump,” Harris assured in a post in which she attached the link for donations, officially kicking off her presidential run.
Harris has already officially launched her presidential campaign: “These are not normal times and this will not be a normal election. But this is our America. And I need you in this fight,” he declared in one of his first fundraising messages. And the response was more than positive with a boom in donations which led to the Democratic coffers $46,7 million in few hours.
The president's endorsement was closely imitated by numerous Democrats, but the president's position will not have a decisive impact on the nomination. They sided in favor of Harris Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary who in a joint note, write: “It is time to support Kamala Harris and fight with all our strength to elect her. America's future depends on it.”
Barack Obama, however, it has avoided expressing explicit support for Harris, limiting herself to praising Biden and expressing confidence in the selection process of the Democratic candidate. “I have extraordinary confidence that our party leaders will be able to create a process from which an exceptional candidate will emerge,” Obama wrote in his memo. “I believe Joe Biden's vision of a generous, prosperous, united America that provides opportunity for all will be fully illustrated at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect each of us to be ready to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond.”
Even the former speaker Nancy Pelosi, who played a decisive role in Biden's decision to withdraw from the race, supports the need for primaries to resolve the question of the Democratic candidate.
There is the financing issue to be resolved
Biden's exit also affects the management of the funds raised so far by the president. According to The Washington Post, Biden could hand over control of the assets to Harris, given that the vice president's name appears in documents submitted to the Federal Election Commission. However, some legal experts, such as Charlie Spies, argue that a formal nomination would be necessary before proceeding with the transfer of funds. If the party chooses a candidate other than Harris, Biden's campaign could transfer the funds to the Democratic National Committee or a 'super committee' that supports the new ticket for the White House.
I major Democratic donors have already expressed their support for Kamala Harris. Several donors had contacted the vice president's team to express their willingness to support her if she ran. “If anything changes, we are there for you,” one of the major donors had said.
Everything will be decided at the August convention
It is clear that for the Democrats everything will be decided at the August convention. A few weeks before the Chicago convention, the Democratic Party must decide the path to follow. Kamala Harris could arrive as the sole candidate, or open primaries could be held leaving other important names in the race. The chairman of the Democratic convention, Jamie Harrison, said the party would “undertake a transparent and orderly process” to choose a candidate. “The process will be governed by rules and procedures established by the party. Our delegates are ready to take seriously their responsibilities to smoothly deliver a candidate to the American people. Soon, the American people will be informed by the Democratic Party about the next steps and the nomination process.”
The possibility of an open convention without a clear indication would be rare but not unprecedented, as occurred in 1968 when Lyndon B. Johnson surprisingly announced his retirement. The convention that year, also in Chicago, ended with the nomination of Vice President Hubert Humphrey as presidential candidate, in a climate of great social and political tension. However, such a situation could involve the Democratic Party in an internal dispute, negatively influencing the November vote.
Ma who are the possible rivals of Kamala Harris in the race for the Democratic Party scepter?
Kamala Harris' possible running opponents
If the Democratic Party decided to open the competition for the presidential nomination, the race would be decidedly more interesting and varied. Kamala Harris, currently in pole position, would not be the only one competing for the role of candidate for the elections. Several influential names could emerge as rivals.
One of the potential candidates is Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania. His leadership in a key state and his current support for Harris make him a name to watch. However, many see it more as a possible vice presidential candidate rather than the presidency.
You could put the governor of Illinois in the race, JB Pritzker. Pritzker has shown solid leadership in his state and could be a viable alternative to Harris if the party decides to expand the field. Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky, is another potential contender. Although Kentucky is a traditionally Republican state, Beshear was able to obtain two consecutive electoral victories, demonstrating his ability to attract voters even in territories that are difficult for Democrats.
Wes Moore, governor of Maryland, is often considered an emerging figure with the charisma and personal history reminiscent of Barack Obama. With his military background and charismatic leadership, Moore could attract broad support.
Among the senators, Amy Klobuchar e Cory Booker they could come forward. Klobuchar, of Minnesota, is known for her pragmatic approach and her ability to build consensus. Booker, from New Jersey, has gained popularity for his oratory and commitment to social issues.
Another name that might emerge is that of Mark Kelly, senator from Arizona and former astronaut. His personal story and his experience in the Senate make him an interesting and potentially strong candidate.
Finally, there is a name that arouses much suggestion and interest: Michelle Obama. Although the former first lady has always firmly ruled out direct involvement in politics, her immense popularity and charisma would make her a figure of great attraction if she decided to run. Even if her candidacy seems unlikely, she would still represent a very powerful and unifying choice for the party.
The August convention will be the crucial moment in which the Democratic Party will decide its future and the candidate who will challenge Donald Trump in the next presidential elections. A race that is already off to an uphill start with the tycoon clearly favored for the November elections.
