Analysis: Pressure Mounts on Joe Biden to Step Down as Democratic Leader

Intense pressure is mounting on Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic Party leader before the November US election due to concerns about his mental and cognitive abilities. A recent poll conducted among 15,000 voters in crucial swing states revealed that other candidates have a three-point lead over Biden on average, indicating that the 81-year-old may be on the verge of losing his position.

Biden’s recent gaffes, including mistaking Volodymyr Zelensky for President Putin and Kamala Harris for Vice President Trump during a NATO summit press conference, have raised doubts about his ability to compete in the election. Some within the Democratic Party fear that if Biden does not step aside, former President Trump could make a comeback to the White House.

Potential candidates who could replace Biden include Arizona’s junior US senator Mark Kelly, Maryland governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. Vice President Kamala Harris, though a likely replacement on the surface, faces challenges in becoming the nominee if Biden resigns.

The likelihood of Biden being replaced remains uncertain, as he has already secured enough delegates to win the nomination. However, speculation is rife within the party, with some Democratic leaders reportedly discussing the possibility of him stepping down. Bookmakers favor Harris as a potential replacement, while other names like Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have also been mentioned.

If Biden were to resign, it would trigger a competitive process among Democrats to select a new leader, as there is no established mechanism for selecting a successor. Candidates who previously ran against Biden and won no delegates would have to start from scratch in the race for the party’s leadership position. The situation remains fluid, with the future of the Democratic Party leadership hanging in the balance.