In a stunning new development, President Joe Biden is reportedly preparing to bow out of the 2024 presidential race this weekend. This alleged decision comes after weeks of mounting pressure from key Democratic figures.
No Endorsement for Harris
Political analyst Mark Halperin says that Biden's exit strategy does not include resigning from office or endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, he intends to leave the decision of his successor to be determined at an open Democratic National Convention.
“They do not want what some of my sources have been calling a Kamala coronation, that the problem, in part, that they found themselves in was that President Biden was not seriously challenged for the nomination,” Halperin told his Newsmax colleague and “FRONTLINE” host Carl Higbie.
“It will happen as early as this weekend,” Halperin explained regarding Biden's supposed decision. “A speech has been drafted for him. He will continue on as president, is his intention. He also will not, I'm told, endorse Vice President Harris as his successor. They're hoping that he will endorse an open process in which the convention will be open to Vice President Harris and a few other candidates in Chicago to pick the Democratic nominee for president.”
The belief is that Vice President Harris is already looking at potential running mates to go to Chicago with a full ticket, including one possibility, Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, and perhaps the governor of Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro.
Other possible candidates who are being talked about include Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, perhaps Gretchen Whitmer, and again the vice president running. On the first ballot, the regular delegates would be allowed to vote under this agreement that's being talked about amongst the president and high-level Democrat officials. The regular delegates would vote on the first ballot. If there is no winner on the first ballot, the so-called super delegates would be allowed to vote on the subsequent ballot.
Sources told Halperin the decision was made after Biden received unrelenting pressure from Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Barack Obama.
“Well, Mark, that said, though, I mean, you're very familiar with campaign finance laws,” Higbie responded. “[Biden] has, you know, $200 and 300 million in his war chest right now. I believe, in my understanding, is Kamala would be the only one who could absorb that and continue on the campaign. How's that going to work when all their big pocket donors have already pushed for that?”
Halperin argued that Democrats expect a surge in fundraising once a new candidate is chosen. “Well, there's all sorts of money, right? There's super PAC money, there's low dollars. The belief is that a new ticket will inject excitement into the party, and that both low dollar donors and the big donors, who in the last few days have sent a strong message to President Biden that they will not support his being the Democratic nominee. So there's a strong belief that with a new ticket, that they can raise money from the big dollar donors who can give and bundle hard dollars, can give super PAC money as well as the small dollar donations, that they will come in to whatever the new ticket is, whether it's the vice president or not.”
The Biden campaign is furiously disputing Halperin's report.
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