On June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, US President Joe Biden and former US President Donald Trump faced off in the first presidential election debate at CNN Atlanta studios. The Democratic Party is currently facing a critical decision on whether to move forward with endorsing a candidate without any issues or to open the door for additional candidates.
Following the debate, there were concerns among officials and legislators about President Biden’s performance and potential vulnerabilities, particularly regarding his age and leadership abilities. There was speculation about possible replacements for Biden in an emergency situation, such as Jamaal Bowman, Gretchen Whitmer, or Gavin Newsom.
Despite internal discussions and concerns, publicly there is unwavering support for Biden leading up to the convention starting on August 19. If Biden were to withdraw from the race, the party would enter emergency mode with the possibility of selecting a new candidate through a process involving the National Committee of the Democratic Party and superdelegates.
The other possibility is that a majority of delegates could withdraw their support for Biden, leading to a chaotic scenario where new candidates would be considered. With the convention approaching, time is of the essence for the Democratic Party to resolve any uncertainties and solidify their nominee.
If no candidate emerges as an apparent frontrunner by this stage, it could have significant implications for the nomination process. The Democrats are facing a tight deadline with the possibility of alterations to their nomination calendar and a rush to confirm Biden as their candidate before planned. The situation is complex and will require careful navigation in the coming weeks leading up to the convention.