Biden crisis

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Biden in July 2024

The Biden crisis[a] is an ongoing political affair involving the presumptive nomination of Joe Biden, the president of the United States since 2021, as the Democratic Party's candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election. Health concerns surrounding Biden, primarily in reference to his age, have elicited concerns within the Democratic Party regarding the election and a second term.

Concerns of Biden's age mounted in June 2024, following a debate in which Biden's faltering appearance, speaking with a hoarse voice and failing to recall statistics and express his opinion on several occasions.

Background

Biden's age and health

At his inauguration, Biden took the oath of office at 78 years old, the oldest individual to assume the presidency.[4] In a report in the Journal on Active Aging, doctors noted he had an "exceptional health profile" relative to his age, and a medical assessment performed by physician Kevin O'Connor attested to his physical acuity.[5] The Washington Post's Dan Zak described the U.S. government as a gerontocracy with Biden's inauguration.[6] At a press conference, Biden stated his intention to run in the 2024 United States presidential election

Debate with Trump

Main article: June 2024 United States presidential debate

Evolution of the crisis

On July 17, ABC News reported that House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer expressed concerns to Biden about Democratic losses in Congress. Jeffrey Katzenberg, a campaign co-chairman, informed Biden that donors had halted funding his campaign.[7] That day, Biden tested positive for COVID-19.[8] The New York Times reported that Biden was "more receptive" to withdrawing his nomination.[9] In phone conversations, former House majority leader Nancy Pelosi told Biden she was pessimistic about his candidacy.[10] On July 18, Axios reported that Democrats believe Biden would exit the election, citing pressure from Jeffries and Schumer, internal polling, and criticism.[11] The New York Times reported that day that Biden had begun to accept a potential withdrawal.[12]

Campaign reactions

Strategy

The Biden campaign has employed a strategy to reduce the tenacity of comments seeking Biden's withdrawal until he is formally nominated in a presumed virtual roll call vote prior to the Democratic National Convention.[13]

Policy

In response to criticisms following the debate, Biden has announced several progressive policies.[14]

Process for removal

Prior to the convention

If Biden withdraws prior to the Democratic National Convention, his pledged delegates will be released. A candidate who receives three hundred signatures from delegates will appear on the convention ballot. A candidate must receive a majority of delegate votes at the convention to become the nominee; if no candidate initially receives a majority of votes, an additional seven hundred delegates are permitted to vote on a candidate.[15]

Following the convention

If Biden withdraws after the Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National Committee will convene to nominate a candidate. Legal concerns over printed ballots could arise.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references: [1][2][3]

References

  1. ^ Ferris, Sarah (July 16, 2024). "Pelosi privately fields battleground Dem calls as she works to address Biden crisis". Politico. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  2. ^ Solander, Andrew (July 14, 2024). "Trump rally shooting upends Democrats' Biden crisis". Axios. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Doherty, Erin (July 13, 2024). "Biden crisis puts first lady's office in the spotlight". Axios. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac (January 21, 2021). "The Biden Generation's Last Chance". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Sadeghi, McKenzie (January 5, 2021). "False news report indicates Biden plans to step down as president-elect". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Zak, Dan (January 12, 2024). "Joe Biden, 78, will lead an American gerontocracy". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Hulse, Carl; Epstein, Reid; Broadwater, Luke; Baker, Peter (July 18, 2024). "Schumer and Jeffries Have Told Biden of Worries That Democrats Will Lose Congress if He Doesn't Step Aside". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Shear, Michael (July 17, 2024). "Biden Tests Positive for Covid". The New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Hulse, Carl; Schmidt, Michael; Epstein, Reid; Baker, Peter; Broadwater, Luke (July 18, 2024). "Biden Called 'More Receptive' to Hearing Pleas to Step Aside". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Hulse, Carl (July 18, 2024). "Pelosi has told Biden she is pessimistic about his chances of beating Trump". The New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  11. ^ VandeHei, Jim; Allen, Mike (July 18, 2024). "Top Dems now believe Biden will exit". Axios. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "People Close to Biden Say He Appears to Accept He May Have to Leave the Race".
  13. ^ Nagourney, Adam; Rutenberg, Jim (July 10, 2024). "A Late Play by the Biden Campaign: Running Out the Clock". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  14. ^ Thompson, Alex; Solander, Andrew (July 17, 2024). "Biden's rescue operation: Leap left to survive". Axios. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Kamisar, Ben; Seitz-Weld, Alex (June 27, 2024). "Democrats are talking about replacing Joe Biden. That wouldn't be so easy". NBC News. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
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