Special counsel Robert Hur’s shocking report on President Biden’s deteriorating mental state has Democrats hoping there’s a way to flip the 2024 ticket — but worried the time to do so has passed with the primary calendar in full swing and VP Kamala Harris polling worse than her boss, The Post has learn
A well-placed Democratic official said Friday that it was “realistic” Harris might replace Biden because of his declining ability, though the person added that they suspected the party’s slate would be the same as it was four years ago.
Concerns about Biden’s health are reflected in polls that show a majority of Americans share concerns about his age. But veteran Democratic operatives told The Post there is little chance Biden will be replaced at this stage of the race, except on his own accord.
“The president has the keys to the DNC, stock and barrel,” said strategist Brad Bannon. “The only way the DNC will have a chance to pick a nominee is if Joe Biden decides to step down.”
Like Biden, Harris has underwater approval numbers. AP
Leading Democrats have publicly stood behind Biden despite his frequent stumbles and stumbles — even as they secretly hope that someone else can fill his shoes.
“There are certainly some Democrats who have concerns about his viability in November,” Bannon said, “but I think that kind of sentiment is spotty and not very focused.”
Bannon added that the pressure on Biden to step aside would be even worse if former President Donald Trump, 77, were not the likely GOP nominee — with his own baggage to negotiate.
The only Democrat currently challenging Biden for the nomination is Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.). Other potential 2024 alternatives, such as California’s Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, have already put their advantages behind the incumbent — giving the president more power over his fate in any party struggle.
A well-placed Democratic official said Friday that it was “realistic” Harris might replace Biden because of his declining ability. AFP via Getty Images
Biden has also posted convincing victories in the New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada primaries while Phillips has yet to get above 20% support in any contest.
“I think a lot of Democrats who care about the president’s political fortunes don’t like to talk about them because they have a personal loyalty to Joe Biden,” Bannon suggested. “No one wants to undermine the president’s ability to defeat Donald Trump.”
Pollster Democrat John Zogby agreed that there was “very little chance” the DNC would replace Biden – saying that while there was “significant concern” and “discord” within the party ranks, it was too late to turn back.
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“They’ve been setting up this whole year with the primary system the way they’ve loaded it for Biden,” Zogby said, noting that replacing Biden with Harris would be a “bigger concern” for Democrats.
The vice president has dismal approval numbers, with a Monmouth University poll in December showing him at just 35% approval and 57% disapproval.
“There’s a sense that he doesn’t have Biden’s level of popularity and that he will be an easy target for Republicans to oppose,” Zogby said.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) told The Post Friday that Democrats have told him they are upset with Biden as the possible nominee, though none have gone so far as to argue for switching him from the ticket.
“[Democrats] can’t stand the fact that he is their nominee and he will drag the whole party down,” he said. “They’re worried they’re going to lose House and Senate seats because people are either going to switch parties and vote Republican because they can’t deal with him being in office anymore — or they’re not going to come out. and vote.”
The Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
