The Democrats’ “replacement bench,” in case something extraordinary happens to Joe Biden, has not been in the media spotlight for months. However, with the recent brutal clash on television between the US President and Donald Trump, there are now calls for the 81-year-old Biden to step down for health reasons. This would pave the way for a younger alternative at the party convention in Chicago in mid-August.
Younger talents, mostly governors like Gretchen Whitmer, Josh Shapiro, Jared Polis, and J. B. Pritzker, have not yet had much national exposure. Among potential candidates, Gavin Newsom of California stands out as someone who has some experience on a national stage and has high approval ratings among Democrats. However, his political leanings may be an issue in the election. Other possible candidates include cabinet members like Pete Buttigieg and Gina Raimondo.
The most obvious solution for a replacement would be Vice President Kamala Harris, who should be Biden’s natural successor. However, her poll ratings have been lower than Biden’s since taking office in 2021, with some questioning her profile and vision for America. While Harris has been given more responsibilities recently, she does not have full party support behind her.
Some names mentioned as potential replacements include Michelle Obama, who is seen as a strong candidate but has expressed no interest in Washington politics. The Democrats face a challenging decision if they need to replace Biden before the election.
