Joe Biden’s faltering performance in the US presidential debate has sparked alarm among Democrats, but could he be replaced against his will and how might that work?
An American national party has never attempted to force an electoral candidate to resign in the modern era, and its rules make it nearly impossible to do so.
The issue was raised before both sides in 2016, but neither took action and there is currently no known effort to force Biden to concede.
would mean Democrat officials who overturned the results of the state primary: the votes that took place earlier this year and confirmed mr biden as the overwhelming choice for november elections.
The 80-year-old won virtually all the delegates, and they are now set to go through the usual process of approving his nomination at the Democratic National Convention on August 19.
There are ways to replace a candidate if he or she dies, resigns or becomes incapacitated, but forcing Biden out would mean delegates would choose another candidate.
It seems highly unlikely, since they were elected in the primary for their loyalty to the president and with the confidence that they would vote for him at the convention.
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However, there is a possible “loophole” in that Democratic rules allow them to “in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them.”
So if concerns about your performance and mental acuity reach a critical level, this could be a way to go.
Watch a special reaction program to the US presidential debate on The World with Yalda Hakim on Sky News from 6pm
Biden appears to stall during debate
What happens if Biden withdraws?
This is the only plausible scenario for Democrats to choose a new candidate to take office. donald trump.
Biden has repeatedly ruled out this option during other turbulent times, but if he changed his mind he could simply see out the remaining months of his presidency.
Such a U-turn would create a frenzy among Democrats, since there is no protocol for him or the party to choose a new candidate before the August convention.
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A majority of the party’s roughly 4,000 delegates is needed to win the presidential nomination, and Biden got about 3,900 of them in the primary.
The president would have some influence over the pledged delegates, but they can ultimately vote however they want, so it could become a free-for-all with candidates aggressively campaigning to win them over.
Kamala Harris says Biden got off to a ‘slow start.’
If the president decides to resign after the convention is held, the party president can call a special meeting of about 500 members.
In theory, they can elect a new candidate by simple majority vote.
However, such a process would likely be much more turbulent, with behind-the-scenes maneuvering and public campaigns.
If Biden were to move even closer to the Nov. 5 election, it could raise constitutional, legal and practical concerns.
For example, ballots must be printed well in advance and it may not be possible to change them in time.
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Would Vice President Kamala Harris replace Biden?
If Biden were to immediately step down as president, Kamala Harris would automatically succeed him, but she would also not become the Democratic nominee.
She could be politically favored if he abandoned his re-election bid, but Biden’s delegates would not automatically transfer to her and there would be a level playing field with other hopefuls.
Who could be the favorite if Biden steps back?
Two favorites, if they decide to run, could be California Governor Gavin Newsom, 56, or Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 52.
They did not participate in this year’s primaries to compete against Biden, but both have been talked about as possible Democratic candidates in the future.
At least for now, Newsom appears to firmly support the president.
Gavin Newsom (R) is often talked about as a possible future nominee. Photo: AP
After Thursday’s debate, he told reporters that his party “could not be more unified behind Biden” and that he should not step aside.
Whitmer has previously said she has no interest in replacing Biden in this year’s election, but could she reconsider now?
Democrats, including Dean Phillips and Jason Palmer of Minnesota, who actually beat Biden in American Samoa, could also try their luck.
They were the main rivals in the primaries earlier this year, but they only won a couple of delegates each, so they would probably have a hard time getting enough support.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
