As the TV debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump approached, rumors began to circulate about whether Biden could be replaced as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. With the Democratic convention in Chicago just two months away, many were speculating about who would replace him if he decided to step aside.
However, according to The Hill, Kamala Harris may not be a popular choice as his successor. There are concerns that Trump would use her perceived progressiveness as an argument against a vote for Biden. This added another layer of complexity to the situation, as Democrats struggled to decide whether they should stick with their current candidate or look for a new one.
If Democrats truly believed that Trump posed a significant threat to American democracy, they might consider stepping aside themselves. Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, and Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, were two potential emergency replacements who could help boost support in swing states where Biden was currently trailing. Whitmer was well-liked nationally and could help bring in undecided voters, while Shapiro had proven himself as a strong leader in his state.
Another potential candidate for vice president was Roy Cooper, the outgoing governor of North Carolina. However, there were concerns that nominating Whitmer could alienate African-American voters. Despite this concern, a Whitmer/Shapiro ticket may fare better than a Biden/Harris ticket in the upcoming election.
In the end, it seemed that Joe Biden would emerge as the Democratic Party’s nominee following the convention. His campaign was expected to focus on Trump rather than a vote of confidence in himself. However, there was still a chance for a different outcome if candidates like Whitmer or Shapiro managed to win over undecided voters and those who did not support either Biden or Trump. In an election where a few thousand votes could make all the difference, it was clear that every vote counted.
Ultimately, it would be up to American voters from coast to coast to decide which candidate they wanted for president in 2020.