It’s never easy for leaders to give up positions of power, at the highest or lowest levels. But the elders of the Democratic Party eventually prevailed over Biden.
Ever since his underwhelming performance in the presidential debate, it was a question of when, not whether, US President Joe Biden would be persuaded to quit the race for a second term in the White House. With his age-related frailties on show in the debate, pressures from the Democratic Party had steadily mounted for Biden to step down and avoid a spectacular defeat in the polls scheduled for November. With Biden on the ticket, Democrats feared that they might not only lose the White House but also fare terribly in the full range of contests to the US Congress, state assemblies and governorships. It’s never easy for leaders to give up positions of power, at the highest or lowest levels. But the elders of the Democratic Party eventually prevailed over Biden.
Notwithstanding his initial hesitations, however, Biden gets full credit for not letting his ego come in the way of doing the right thing by the party that he has served, in various capacities, for more than half a century. By stepping aside, Biden has also scrambled an election that was tilting decisively in favour of the Republicans. By producing a new ticket, the Democrats hope to rejuvenate a campaign that has been reeling under attacks from the Republicans energised and united under Trump. With the Democratic Party convention set for the third week of August in Chicago, time is of the essence for Democrats in rallying around a new ticket. Thanks to Biden’s endorsement of her candidature, Vice President Kamala Harris is the front-runner with many advantages. Her multiple identities — a woman, a Black and a South Asian — are of exceptional value to the Democratic Party that privileges diversity. It is also easier to campaign around Harris, whose name is recognised, than spending time, money, and effort on a new candidate.
However, her failed campaign for the presidential nomination in 2020, a less than impressive performance as Vice President, and considerable opposition to her in the party suggest there will be wrinkles to be sorted out before Harris becomes the presidential nominee. But if Democrats have a problem with Harris, the Trump campaign will also face new challenges. The age argument now turns against Trump, who is 78 years old. He will face a vigorous rival — Harris is 59. If Harris focuses on women’s issues — including the right to abortion — she could wean away many female voters to the Democratic side. By challenging Trump on a range of other wedge issues and widening their appeal beyond traditional liberal constituencies, the Democrats could sharpen internal divisions within the Republican Party. If the Democrats become organised, they could turn this election into a meaningful contest and restore fading faith in US democracy.
