As soon as Joe Biden’s uneven performance in the debate began, concerned Democrats began to wonder if he would withdraw from the presidential campaign.
Given that Biden is currently the clear favorite among primary voters and the Democrats’ presumed nominee, it would be a challenging procedure. Since he was the clear front-runner in the primary and received almost all of the party’s delegates, he is highly unlikely to be removed from the race against his will.
“The 1960s are over here. The nominee is chosen by the voters. In response to Biden’s performance during the debate on Thursday night, Democratic strategist and AWN analyst David Axelrod stated, “He is the nominee.”
Dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s 1968 nomination of Vice President Hubert Humphrey gave rise to the present primary system, which gives primary voters more power than party heavy hitters. Despite President Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision to withdraw from the presidential run that year due to his declining popularity and stance against the Vietnam War, Humphrey continued Johnson’s Vietnam policy during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. As Humphrey accepted the nomination, demonstrators and police battled, leading to violence.
If Biden were to withdraw from the campaign in 2024, things would change drastically, even if the Democrats’ convention will be back in Chicago in August.
As we originally stated in February, if the front-runner decided to withdraw from the race after the primary or even at the convention, the party’s nominee would have to be chosen by individual delegates on the floor of the convention (or, alternatively, through a virtual roll call).
That would bring the usually obscure subject of who exactly are those delegates into the limelight. More than 3,900 delegates were assigned to the Democratic Party throughout the primary process; nearly all of them are already committed to Biden. The deadline for states to choose these delegates is June 22, according to the Democratic Party.
The Biden campaign has not only given its stamp of approval to these delegates, but they have also promised to vote for him. Therefore, selecting a new nominee at the convention could be decided by the majority of delegates, but it would necessitate a large number of defections among the president’s own supporters. Furthermore, Biden’s supporters would essentially be the ones to choose his successor in the event that he withdrew from the campaign.
Could someone else succeed Biden?
For example, in this hypothetical situation, Vice President Kamala Harris would likely be one of the leading candidates for inclusion on the ballot. However, there are other possible contenders who have already stated that they may mount a more formidable challenge to Trump.
Would a candidate such as Gavin Newsom of California, who endorsed Joe Biden without reservation during Thursday’s debate, take against Harris at the convention? Conflict and unpleasantness may ensue if a replacement is not agreed upon. After intense persuasion, the delegates would have to vote on a succession of candidates.
There is an additional group to think about on the Democratic side: the “superdelegates,” or over 700 high-ranking party executives and elected leaders who are automatically delegates to the convention because of their status. Typically, party regulations state that those who have the potential to influence the nomination cannot cast a vote on the initial ballot; however, they are permitted to do so on subsequent rounds.
After the convention, what if a candidate decided to withdraw from the race?
During the summer months leading up to a party’s nomination convention and the general election in November, it would require a major event for a contender to withdraw from the race.
Republicans and Democrats approach this prospect in significantly different ways. You may think that in the end, the running mate would volunteer to be on the ballot for the general election, but that is by no means assured.
Following consultation with Democratic governors and congressional leadership, the Democratic National Committee is authorized by party rules to replace a national ticket vacancy following the convention.
When a position opens up on the Republican side, the party’s national committee has the option of calling a new convention or choosing a candidate independently.
Could the running mate be nominated without any more action?
The 25th Amendment would raise the vice president to the presidency if an incumbent president becomes incapacitated after earning the party’s nomination, according to an extensive Congressional Research Service memo. However, the process by which the party’s nominee is determined would be governed by party rules.
Although it is the most probable outcome, neither party mandates that the presidential candidate’s running mate be moved to the head of the ticket, according to the CRS.
Has the convention ever resulted in a candidate dropping out of the race?
Sen. Thomas Eagleton, a Democrat seeking the office of vice president in 1972, was removed from office following the 1972 convention due to the revelation that he had received treatment for a mental condition, according to the CRS. It was a completely different era in 1972! The stigma associated with mental health has thankfully diminished in modern times.
Sargent Shriver was the Democratic contender George McGovern’s second-choice running mate, and the DNC had to call a meeting to confirm this.
After being elected, what would happen if the president-elect became disabled?
The timing of a president-elect’s death is crucial once again.
Votes for president are officially cast by electors who convene in state capitols, according to the Constitution. Some states insist that they cast ballots for the state’s designated candidate, while others give them more discretion.
Although the legislation is unclear, the CRS memo—which references multiple congressional hearings on the matter—suggests that it would obviously make sense for the vice president-elect to just take the post of president-elect.
In the event of the death of the president-elect, the vice president-elect takes the oath of office as provided for in the 20th Amendment.
For instance, the precise moment that a person becomes president-elect may be a matter of significant debate. When will Congress convene to tally the Electoral College votes? On January 6, after the December meeting of the electors, or afterward?