“Mr. Biden is no longer the man he was four years ago.” In an editorial published Friday June 28, the New York Timess calls on the American president and candidate for his re-election to “leave the race” to make way for another Democratic candidate to face Donald Trump, the day after a catastrophic televised debate in front of 51 million viewers.
“Joe Biden appeared as the shadow of a political leader,” writes the New York daily close to the progressive camp, while the 81-year-old president showed great difficulty in defending his program, responding to the provocations of the Republican Donald Trump (barely younger, at 78), or quite simply… finishing his sentences, during this duel. The Republican thus appeared largely victorious to 67% of spectators, according to a poll CNNwhich nevertheless indicates that 81% of voters who attended the contest have not, however, changed their opinion on their vote.
Determined to continue the race
This did not, however, prevent the Democrats, who were lagging behind in the polls, from being overcome by general panic. according to the American press. And for good reason, “this debate was supposed to be an opportunity for Joe Biden to demonstrate that he was still fit to govern, and he failed in this exercise”, analyzes Nicole Bacharan, political scientist and specialist in the United States. “He is a president appreciated in his own camp, where it is considered that he has done a good job, but his senility could be a brake on the re-election of the Democrats”.
Widely acclaimed during the Democratic primaries, Joe Biden is the only one who can decide to leave the game, but he does not seem at all resolved to do so. Returning to the campaign the day after his dismal performance, the 81-year-old Democrat acknowledged at a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina (this time with the help of a teleprompter): “I don’t debate as well as I used to […] but I would not run again if I did not believe, with all my heart, that I can do this job.” The leader, in the process, received the strong support of Barack Obama – who remains one of the most vocal voices respected by the Democratic Party, as well as another of his predecessors, Bill Clinton.
Who to replace Joe Biden?
Enough to seek to stifle the idea of a possible abandonment, a few weeks before the Democratic Convention which is to be held from August 19 to 22, and which is supposed to invest it. “It would be a mess, but technically it is not impossible, believes Nicole Bacharan. We could imagine an open Convention – an extremely rare occurrence – in which the delegates who came to support Joe Biden would be released from their mandate, and during which new candidates would show up.”
Faced with this possibility, American political commentators have begun to skim the alternative possibilities. If Joe Biden were to withdraw, it is likely that he would hand over to his vice-president Kamala Harris, whom he has chosen to succeed him in the event of his failure. “But that would not make her an automatic replacement,” believes historian Nicole Bacharan. Among the leaders of the Democratic Party, others could also be tempted to run for the White House.
A risky political gamble
Names mentioned include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and current Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who had already made a name for himself in the 2020 primaries – “competent profiles, but who do not have national stature,” comments the political scientist. “Nevertheless, they are all outspoken supporters of the President, and none of them will think of trying to overtake him until Joe Biden himself gives up running,” says Nicole Bacharan.
Another dilemma arises: even if Joe Biden agreed to throw in the towel before the Democratic Convention in mid-August, his replacement would have only a few weeks to prepare for the second debate on September 10 against Donald Trump. And would have to lead a lightning campaign until the election on November 5, 2024. “It’s very short, it would require an unprecedented mobilization of the entire Democratic Party,” Nicole Bacharan also believes. The coming weeks are looking difficult for the “donkeys” – the party’s historic symbol. According to the New York TimesDonald Trump is slightly ahead compared to Joe Biden, with 46% of voting intentions against 44%.