Democratic Party Faces Uncertainty with No Backup Plan for Biden's Possible Exit from 2024 Race

Amidst speculation and uncertainty surrounding President Joe Biden's possible run for re-election in 2024, the Democratic Party finds itself without a solid backup plan. Although Biden has expressed his intention to seek a second term, concerns about his age and weak poll numbers have raised questions about the party's strategy moving forward. The absence of a Plan B has Democratic officials on edge, as they acknowledge the potential for a messy intraparty battle if Biden were to drop out of the race. With critical state primary ballot deadlines already passed, the path forward for other potential Democratic candidates is uncertain.

While Biden loyalists argue that the party does not need a backup plan, noting his strong record in office and previous victory over former President Donald Trump, others believe that the Democrats should be prepared for any scenario. Reuters spoke to multiple current and former officials who, while supporting Biden, acknowledged the potential upheaval the party could face if the oldest president in U.S. history were to encounter a health issue or step aside for other reasons during the campaign. It is clear that if Biden were to leave the race, his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, would not automatically become the top candidate.

While she would benefit from the joint campaign infrastructure, other Democrats would likely jump into the race as well, sparking a competitive battle for the nomination. The lack of a backup plan becomes even more problematic considering the time and resources needed to set up a presidential campaign. Deadlines for getting on the ballot in consequential states are quickly approaching, and it normally takes months to raise the necessary funds to run a successful campaign. Despite these challenges, Democratic officials remain united behind Biden, emphasizing their support for him.

However, concerns about his age and low approval ratings have caused some to question whether his re-election bid is in the best interest of the country. If Biden were to drop out before the Democratic primaries were concluded, other candidates could join the race depending on state filing requirements. However, if he were to drop out after the primaries, a jockeying for delegates would likely occur among a broad group of candidates, including Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom, to convince the more than 4,000 Democratic delegates to choose them as the nominee.

The potential for intraparty warfare and a return to a time when convention delegates had more autonomy in selecting the nominee looms if Biden were to drop out before or after the party's convention in Chicago. In either scenario, the Democratic Party would need to navigate a complex and uncertain path to selecting a new nominee. While there is some precedent for switching out a nominee, such as in 1972 when George Eagleton withdrew as George McGovern's running mate, the Democratic National Committee would likely need to hold an emergency meeting to fill the vacancy.

In the unlikely event that Trump were to drop out of the Republican primary race, the party has built-in alternatives with multiple candidates challenging him. This stands in contrast to the Democrats, who would need to quickly find a replacement if Biden were to leave the race. Overall, the absence of a backup plan for the Democratic Party underscores the uncertainty surrounding Biden's re-election campaign and raises important questions about the party's preparedness for potential scenarios. As the 2024 campaign unfolds, Democrats may find themselves mirroring the Republicans in a battle where candidates spend time and money fighting each other rather than focusing on defeating their opponents.