Vice President Kamala Harris Emerges as Top Contender to Succeed Joe Biden in Case of Resignation
According to sources familiar with ongoing discussions within the Biden campaign, the White House, and the Democratic National Committee, Vice President Kamala Harris is the leading candidate to replace President Joe Biden should he opt not to pursue reelection.
Concerns over Biden’s recent lackluster and criticized performance in his first debate against Republican rival Donald Trump have sparked internal Democratic anxiety about his ability to serve a second term, prompting calls for key aides to resign.
While some influential Democrats have suggested alternative candidates to Biden, such as popular cabinet members and Democratic governors like Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, bypassing Harris is considered highly unlikely and wishful thinking, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
If nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate, Harris, aged 59, would inherit the Biden campaign’s fundraising and campaign infrastructure, sources indicated. She currently enjoys the highest name recognition among potential alternatives and polls strongest among Democrats seriously considered for candidacy.
In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday, Harris trailed Trump by just one percentage point, 42% to 43%, a statistically insignificant difference within the poll’s margin of error of 3.5 percentage points, demonstrating a level of support comparable to Biden’s.
Furthermore, Harris has already undergone national vetting and withstood rigorous scrutiny from Republicans, sources noted. Representative Jim Clyburn, pivotal to Biden’s 2020 victory, expressed his support for Harris as the Democratic nominee should Biden step aside, as reported on MSNBC.
Addressing Biden’s debate performance, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterized it as a “bad night” and affirmed Biden’s intention to continue his reelection campaign, with the Biden campaign referring media queries to Harris’s team for comment.
Harris’s aides firmly dismissed any speculation about a Democratic ticket that excludes either Biden or Harris, emphasizing her commitment to serving a second term alongside President Joe Biden, according to a statement from her office.
Following state primaries, Biden’s campaign has secured 3,894 delegates, with only a few “uncommitted” delegates remaining. Formal nomination of Biden is anticipated later this month in a virtual meeting preceding the Democratic National Convention in August.
Donna Brazile, former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, who holds a pivotal role at this year’s Democratic National Convention, highlighted Harris as the immediate replacement should Biden decide against running again.
Several Democratic strategists warned against bypassing Harris, the first Black and woman vice president, asserting such a move could provoke backlash from crucial Black and women voters essential to securing victory.
