Democrats plan to hold a virtual vote to nominate President Joe Biden as the party's nominee in the first week of August, amidst growing calls from within the party for Biden to withdraw from the race. These calls have intensified following Biden's underperformance in a debate against former President Donald Trump.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) rules committee is set to meet on Friday to discuss the plans, as detailed in a letter obtained by The Associated Press. The virtual vote will not occur before August 1 but will be completed before August 7, the deadline in Ohio. The letter was signed by DNC co-chairs Leah D. Daughtry and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The urgency of the virtual vote stems from the need to ensure Biden qualifies for the vote in Ohio, despite the state having changed its rules. Biden's campaign insists on adhering to Ohio's previous rules to avoid potential legal challenges from Republican lawmakers.
However, the decision to proceed with a virtual vote has not been without controversy. A group of House Democrats has expressed 'serious concerns' about stifling debate over the party's nominee with early roll-call voting, which they believe could undermine party morale and unity.
A recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe Biden should withdraw from the race and allow the party to nominate a different candidate. This sentiment has been exacerbated by doubts about Biden's mental capacity, with only about 3 in 10 Democrats expressing confidence in his ability to serve effectively as president.
The poll also highlights a generational divide within the party. Younger Democrats, particularly those under 45, are more likely to want Biden to retire compared to their older counterparts. Despite this, Biden retains significant support among Black Democrats, with about half of respondents in this demographic supporting his continued candidacy.
Vice President Kamala Harris has also come under scrutiny, though her favorability rating remains similar to Biden's. The poll shows that the share of Americans with an unfavorable opinion of Harris is slightly lower than that of Biden.
Overall, the poll indicates that seven in 10 Americans believe Biden should retire, with Democrats slightly less likely than Republicans and independents to hold this view. This widespread dissatisfaction reflects broader concerns about the current state of political leadership, with many Americans expressing a desire for new candidates from both major parties.
- The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago, where the final decision on the party's nominee will be made.
- The letter from DNC co-chairs emphasizes that the party will not rush the virtual voting process, highlighting the importance of a thorough evaluation to ensure its effectiveness.
- Biden's campaign remains focused on adhering to Ohio's previous rules to prevent any legal challenges from Republicans that could jeopardize his candidacy.
- The recent poll underscores the challenges facing Biden as he attempts to consolidate support within his party and convince Democrats that he is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
- The generational divide within the Democratic Party is evident, with younger members expressing greater dissatisfaction with Biden's candidacy and a stronger desire for new leadership.
- Despite the growing calls for Biden to withdraw, he continues to have significant support among Black Democrats, a key demographic that could play a crucial role in the upcoming election.
