Former US Vice President Joe Biden shocked the political world by dropping out of the presidential race. The podcast discusses the Democratic Party crisis, Biden's withdrawal, Kamala Harris as a potential nominee, and the impact on Biden's legacy and the party's future.
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Quick takeaways
Biden stepped down due to declining support and endorsed Harris, reshaping Democrat election strategy.
Harris's focus on key issues like abortion rights and candidacy position her as a strong Democrat contender.
Deep dives
Reasons for Biden Dropping Out
The pressure for Biden to drop out of the presidential race intensified as he lost support from top leaders in Congress, facing criticism for his debate performance. Congressional leaders privately and publicly expressed doubts about his campaign's viability, leading to approximately three dozen House members and some Senators requesting his withdrawal. The decline in fundraising post-debate and Biden trailing in cash against Trump's campaign further influenced his decision.
Kamala Harris as Democratic Nominee
Following Biden's exit, he endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor, sparking support from many Democratic members of Congress. Although Harris's endorsement doesn't automatically nominate her, the party convention in August historically formalizes the nominee. Harris's active campaigning for the election and her focus on key issues like abortion rights position her favorably against potential candidate J.D. Vance.
Biden's Legacy and Concerns
Biden's decision to withdraw from the election early allowed him a graceful exit, positioning him as someone who prioritized the country over personal ambitions. While current praise and hero status may shift if Democrats lose in November, history's verdict on Biden's legacy will likely depend on the outcome of the upcoming elections and how the party moves forward from his decision.
After a disastrous debate performance in June, the chorus of questions and doubts have been steadily building — is Joe Biden really the man to beat Donald Trump in this Fall's American presidential election? Biden himself has finally answered: no, he's not. On Sunday, he announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election in November, and nominated his vice-president Kamala Harris in his stead.
What's next for the Democrats, and what does it mean for an already chaotic election? Washington Post political reporter Patrick Svitek breaks it all down.