US Democrats panic, look for Biden’s replacement after debate debacle – Politico
28 June 2024 11:37
After the debate between US presidential candidates Joseph Biden and Donald Trump, members of the Democratic Party were in a state of panic. The 81-year-old Biden’s performance caused them serious concern, and some party members began discussing the previously unthinkable – replacing him as a candidate in the presidential election. This is stated in a Politico article, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
Strategists close to the three potential Democratic candidates reported a flurry of text messages during the debate. One adviser noted that he had received a request for his candidate to act as an alternative to Biden. Another adviser described numerous messages from key donors calling the situation a “disaster” and urging the party to “do something”.
One major Democratic donor and Biden supporter said it was time for the president to end his campaign. He described Biden’s performance as “the worst in history” and suggested that it was so bad that “no one will pay attention to Trump’s lies”. This donor suggested an alternative tandem led by the governors of Maryland and Michigan.
Despite the general panic, some prominent Democrats, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and California Governor Gavin Newsom, publicly supported Biden. Newsom, when asked by MSNBC about Biden’s possible resignation, called such talk “unnecessary” and “unhelpful”.
Biden’s campaign rejected the criticism, stressing that he is “the only person who has ever beaten Donald Trump”. They also reported that the hour after the debate was the most successful in terms of fundraising from ordinary citizens since the launch of the campaign.
However, many Democrats are expressing serious concerns. One adviser to senior Democratic officials called Biden’s performance a “dud,” noting that the president did not handle his messaging, content, counterattacks, presentation, and non-verbal communication well.
Although the likelihood of Biden’s replacement remains low at this stage, the debate has significantly increased doubts about his ability to compete effectively with Trump. This situation could have serious implications for the Democrats’ election strategy and the overall US political landscape ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
