So, Joe Biden has dropped out of the presidential race. What happens now? We’d like to give some insight on what this all means for the Democratic Party, and our country as a whole.
What Does This Mean for the Democratic Party?
The president has endorsed his VP, Kamala Harris, but that doesn’t mean she gets the nomination automatically.
What Happens to Biden’s Delegates: As the leader of the Democratic party, the president has the responsibility to rally party members and delegates around a single voice. However, the Democratic National Convention, which will be August 19-22 in Chicago, will be where 4000 pledged delegates and superdelegates will choose the party’s new nominee.
The delegates that Biden won during the primaries do not automatically go to Kamala – instead, these delegates are now free to support other candidates. Names that have been circulated include California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
In the absence of a clear frontrunner, an open and contested convention for the Democratic Party could unfold. This means that candidates would likely scramble across the country to secure delegates – needing 300 delegates to put their name in the roll call. There would be multiple rounds of voting until a candidate receives the majority of convention delegate votes. In 1924, it took 103 rounds for the Democratic Party to choose a delegate.
What Does This Mean for Us?
This presidential election will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most chaotic. There are a host of varying opinions regarding Biden’s choice to withdraw from the election, some hopeful for what this means for our democracy and others, the exact opposite.
Some experts believe that this new development will place the election right into Donald Trump’s hands. They argue that introducing a new candidate with such little time left in this election cycle will make it impossibly challenging for Harris to really show her worth against Trump.
Another expert opinion argues that this recent shift will cause a consolidation of all Democrats behind Harris, strengthening her political support system in such chaotic times.
Additionally, there are talks of how Biden’s dropout creates further uncertainty about wars, trade disputes and other foreign policy challenges. Biden’s extensive foreign policy experience and relationships with world leaders are unmatched among current Democratic candidates and the implications of his withdrawal raise questions for leaders across the globe, both allies and adversaries alike.
If Kamala Harris Becomes the Democratic Candidate: If Harris is selected she’d be going head to head with Donald Trump. If she were to win, she would make history as the first female president in the history of the United States. She would be the second person of color, and first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent to be president. This representation could pave the way for young people of color and young women to be more involved in politics and civil rights advocacy. Harris has the potential to fire up key portions of the Democratic base — Black voters and younger voters, two groups with whom Biden was struggling.
Prior to Biden’s withdrawal, he and Harris endorsed a campaign ad that slammed Trump’s view on abortion rights, showing support for women to have control over their own bodies. If she were to win, Harris could continue with this platform and potentially change many of the laws that limit a woman’s choice to give birth.
Focus on Marginalized Communities: Throughout her career Kamala Harris has demonstrated her support for LGBTQIA+ rights. In her time as Vice President, this has only furthered with the support of President Joe Biden. As a woman up for the position that has never seen a woman successfully claim, Kamala Harris’s personal struggle to break through political ceilings of sexism will surely resonate with many of those in the gender-marginalized community in the U.S. Harris’s strong stance on abortion rights and dedication to combatting the initiatives of Donald Trump against abortion depicts a dedication to preserving the rights of gender-marginalized people.
How Are Other Politicians Responding?
Now that Biden has dropped out of the election, some Republicans—Donald Trump included—are demanding that he resigns as President immediately. While many Democrats have called for his withdrawal from the race, none have deemed him unfit to finish out his term. Biden says that he does not plan to resign.
Some Republicans have also reprimanded Biden for his choice to withdraw and endorse Kamala Harris, claiming this decision has invalidated the votes of millions of Americans who voted for Biden to be the Democratic candidate.
How Is the Public Responding?
Kamala Harris has garnered significant popularity with the newest generation of eligible voters: Gen Z. While the image of her going around on social media has mostly been a comedic one chock full of clips of her laughing hysterically or talking about coconut trees, the youth are now more invested in her role as a potential leader of the country.
Many celebrities have also expressed their support for Kamala Harris. George Clooney notoriously released a New York Times editorial piece expressing a desire for Biden’s withdrawal just weeks after spearheading a presidential reelection campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles. Supporters included Julia Roberts, Streisand, Jimmy Kimmel, former President Barack Obama, Jack Black, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kathryn Hahn and Jason Bateman.
World leaders in Britain, Russia, and Canada have all also expressed respect for Biden’s decision, claiming that they believe he is doing what’s best for American people. They sang his praises for his work as President.
Your Role in Shaping the Future: Taking Action
With all of the chaos and uncertainty in the air, the one thing we have control over is ourselves and how we respond to this situation. Individual citizens play a crucial role in shaping the future. Here are three actionable steps you can take to prepare for the 2024 elections:
Register and Verify: Ensure your voter registration is up to date to avoid any last-minute issues on election day.
Research Candidates Thoroughly: Gain a deep understanding of the backgrounds, policies, and values of candidates running for various positions to make informed decisions aligned with your vision for the future.
Plan Your Vote: Decide how and when you’ll cast your vote—whether it’s in person, through early voting, or via mail. Stay aware of deadlines to ensure your participation in shaping the democratic process.
In the spirit of our mission to empower everyday people, let’s not only recognize the importance of the 2024 elections but also embrace the opportunity to actively shape the democratic narrative. Beyond casting our votes, our mission is to encourage individuals to rise, not only as voters but as architects of change. By becoming actively involved in the legislative process, passing our own laws, and advocating for transparency, we can collectively fortify the foundations of democracy.
The 2024 elections mark a crucial juncture, not just for political choices but for our shared commitment to building a more transparent and inclusive democratic system. Let’s rise to the occasion and pave the way for a future where the power of democracy is truly in the hands of the people.
