Biden Drops Out, Backs Harris
President Joe Biden has ended his bid for reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s nominee.
Key Points:
Is Biden still the US president?
- Yes, Biden remains president until January when his successor is inaugurated.
- He has pledged to stay in office despite calls from Republicans like House Speaker Mike Johnson to step down now.
Is Kamala Harris now the Democrats’ presidential candidate? - Not automatically. Delegates at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) will decide.
- Biden’s endorsement makes Harris a strong contender, but other candidates could still emerge.
- The party seems to be rallying around Harris, making her the likely nominee.
Could other candidates come forward and how will the nominee be chosen? - Other candidates like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have shown support for Harris.
- The DNC starts on August 19. Delegates will vote, and if no candidate wins a majority in the first round, further rounds will be held, including votes from superdelegates.
- A candidate needs 1,976 delegate votes to secure the nomination.
How does the winning candidate make their VP pick? - The nominee typically selects their running mate, which the party usually accepts.
- Potential running mates for Harris include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly.
What happens with the money pledged to Biden? - Harris could inherit the nearly – Harris could inherit the nearly $100 million raised by Biden since they were on the same ticket.00 million raised by Biden since they were on the same ticket.
- Republicans may challenge this transfer, pointing out Biden was not officially the nominee when he dropped out.
- If someone other than Harris becomes the nominee, the funds’ future is unclear.
Kamala Harris Takes Lead on Reproductive Rights
With Biden stepping down and endorsing Harris as the new Democratic presidential nominee, she is expected to take a strong stance on abortion access against former President Donald Trump, which could impact his election chances.
Key Advocate
Harris has been a vocal supporter of reproductive rights. She was the first vice president to visit a Planned Parenthood clinic and conducted a nationwide tour focusing on this issue. She also criticized Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, for opposing protections for in vitro fertilization. According to health policy expert Larry Levitt, Harris would likely make abortion access a central issue in her campaign.
Harris has a strong background in health policy. Influenced by her mother, a biomedical scientist, she supported Medicare for All during her 2019 presidential run. As California’s attorney general, she fought against health industry consolidation to prevent price increases. Recently, she supported a Biden administration rule on minimum staffing levels at nursing homes.
Opinion Polls on Abortion
Focusing on women’s health and abortion could mobilize Democratic voters. After the Supreme Court, with three Trump-nominated justices, overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, public opinion shifted against Republicans on abortion. A Gallup Poll from May showed that 32% of voters would only support candidates who share their views on abortion. A Pew Research poll found that 63% of adults believe abortion should be legal in most cases.
Despite some Republicans distancing themselves from the abortion issue, their platform still recognizes “fetal personhood,” which could lead to a national abortion ban. This stance contrasts with many Republican women voters, who largely support legal abortion in specific cases.
Views of Republican Women
If Harris leads the ticket, she is expected to emphasize reproductive rights. According to Harvard’s Matthew Baum, Republicans’ attempts to downplay the issue have backfired. However, Republicans might portray Harris’ views as extreme, as seen when Trump falsely claimed Democrats support late-term abortions.
Supreme Court Cases
Harris’ nomination comes at a critical time for reproductive rights, with the Supreme Court set to revisit significant cases. One case involves the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, and another challenges Idaho’s strict abortion ban against federal emergency care law. Both cases could return to the Supreme Court soon.
ACA, $35 Insulin, Medicare
Harris could also highlight the Biden administration’s health policy achievements, such as enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, a $35 cap on insulin copays, and Medicare drug price negotiations. Despite these efforts, high drug costs remain a concern for voters.
Conclusion
While Harris is poised to campaign strongly on reproductive rights, she must also address broader issues like healthcare costs and access to treatments to appeal to a wide range of voters.
Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race, Endorses Harris
President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race after a tough debate with Donald Trump that raised concerns about his ability to serve another term. This surprise announcement, made less than four months before the election, has drastically changed the campaign landscape.
Biden, who plans to finish his current term, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place and urged the Democratic Party to support her. Harris is now the favorite to be the Democratic nominee at the August convention in Chicago.
Key Points
Historic Decision
- Biden’s withdrawal comes after a poor debate performance that increased pressure from his allies. This decision is unprecedented, as no presumptive nominee has ever dropped out so close to the election.
Harris’ Response - Harris praised Biden’s decision as a patriotic act and vowed to unite the party and the nation to defeat Trump. She aims to become the first woman and first person of South Asian descent to be president.
Immediate Challenges - Harris must quickly secure delegates’ support, choose a running mate, and pivot the campaign built for Biden to support her candidacy.
Party Support - The Congressional Black Caucus and former President Bill Clinton, along with Hillary Clinton, endorsed Harris immediately. Former President Barack Obama has pledged support for the eventual nominee.
Biden’s Letter
Biden announced his decision on social media, stating it was in the best interest of the country and the Democratic Party. He expressed his full support for Harris and called for party unity to defeat Trump.
Impacts
Biden’s decision disrupts a campaign where more than 14 million Democrats had voted for him during the primaries. Now, Harris has to rally the party around her, secure endorsements, and prepare for the convention in Chicago.
Reactions
Democrats: Praised Biden’s decision as selfless and patriotic.
Republicans: Called for Biden to resign immediately if he is not fit to run for office.
Trump: Criticized Biden’s presidency and expressed confidence in rectifying any damage done.
Moving Forward
Harris, now leading the Democratic ticket, is contacting elected officials and delegates to solidify her nomination. Other potential Democratic challengers have already shown support for Harris, signaling a quick coalescence around her candidacy.
Legacy and Future
Biden’s presidency has faced low approval ratings despite significant legislative achievements. His decision to run was deeply connected to his opposition to Trump. Now, as Harris steps into the spotlight, the focus will be on uniting the Democratic Party and preparing for a tough election battle against Trump.