As pressure mounts on President Biden to drop out of his re-election bid after a shockingly dismal debate performance, attention will be more focused on two Californians: Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Gavin Newsom.
While California won’t matter in November’s election — whoever is the Democratic nominee will win the state handily — the state’s large delegation to the party’s national convention in August could weigh in on choosing Biden. Play a decisive role in the succession.
Harris will be at the top of the initial list of possible replacements, with Newsom close behind.
But polls show Harris, 59, is less popular than Biden. She is widely seen as a vote drag. One concern among many voters is that if the 81-year-old Biden fails to complete a second term, he will be replaced by Harris as president.
However, the former California attorney general sounded sharp in a post-debate interview with CNN. Even though I’ve long been a critic, I had a feeling watching her that she might not be a campaign disaster after all.
In fact, Harris might have excelled at stumps. Let go of mechanical scripts and become more spontaneous. She would certainly be a more competitive debater for Republican Donald Trump than the weaker Biden.
Harris displayed genuine conviction as she promoted Biden’s policies — a look she often lacks. She tried to put her best foot forward in his arguments.
“Yes, it was a slow start. That was obvious to everyone,” she said. “But it’s a strong ending.”
Well, no, that’s not the case, but he did improve – after hurting himself so badly, probably beyond repair.
One obstacle Harris faces, however, is that party leaders remember her poor performance when she ran for president in 2020.
Then there’s Newsom, 56.
If Newsom wanted to run for president — and he did — now might be his best chance, assuming Biden can be coaxed away. There has been speculation that he would run in 2028.
Newsom is already warming up. The two-term governor has been promoting himself nationally while attacking red state policies and playing the role of an enthusiastic Biden surrogate. He has a veteran campaign organization.
Roger Strasburg wore a cowboy hat as he watched Thursday’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Trump in Scottsdale, Arizona.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)
But Newsom will need to compete for the nomination with Harris, his old ally in San Francisco. He has publicly stated that he will not do so. Newsom has said privately that if he did, he would be viewed as a partisan pariah, especially among black women.
In fact, I never thought a California Democrat could be elected president in this deeply polarized era. For most people in America, our politics are too far left.
Newsom has Hollywood looks and oratory skills. But his greatest political asset – being governor of California – is also his greatest weakness.
One advantage for Harris and Newsom, however, is that the California delegation will be the largest at the Democratic convention so far. Presumably it will support California candidates.
The 496-member slate will receive the 22% of votes needed to win the nomination. So if Biden drops out of the race, California could play a big role in choosing his successor.
Who else is possible? First, two governors in key battleground states: Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Also included are Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, New York House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
There is no perfect candidate. But Trump is anything but perfect.
Biden loyalists and sleepy opponents have argued for months that it’s too late to change sides while the presidential campaign is underway, especially now that it’s nearing the final lap. nonsense.
Conventions were invented to compete for nominations. But unfortunately, smoke-filled rooms get a bad rap, and Democratic reforms have gone too far. The convention turned into a boring TV show that fewer and fewer people watched.
The Republicans fought their last convention battle in 1976, when they nominated President Ford, defeating Ronald Reagan of California. Ford was subsequently defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter. The last time the Democrats fought bitterly was in 1972, when the California delegation pushed for the nomination of George McGovern. He was beaten by President Richard Nixon, a native Californian.
As a result, convention battles can sometimes backfire on parties. But this year may be different.
Democrats’ Donnybrook could spark new interest within the party and awaken a slumbering base that keeps telling pollsters they want a president much younger than the 81-year-old incumbent.
Political leaders have a bad habit of plugging their ears when the masses say things they don’t want to hear.
Voters were unhappy with either of their choices. Trump, 78, appears to be healthier than Biden, at least physically. But Trump is a pathological liar. “Wildcat ethics,” Biden told him during the debate.
Biden’s hesitant, hoarse voice and awkward performance once again heightened voters’ anxiety about whether Biden can fully fulfill his second term. He seemed to lose his train of thought at least once and had trouble finishing sentences.
It was the worst presidential debate performance ever.
President Reagan’s defeat in his first debate with Democrat Walter Mondale in 1984 raised concerns about his 73-year-old age. Reagan made a full recovery during the second debate.
Even if Biden makes the right decisions, people will think he is weak. This means it will be difficult for him to lead the country.
If Trump’s election truly jeopardizes democracy, as Biden says, then the president should step down to give the Republican Party a better chance of defeating this unqualified bastard. Of course he will resist. But people he trusts should be honest with him and push.
“You don’t look back [on someone] After a show,” Newsom told a television interviewer. “What kind of party is this?”
A winning party that prioritizes its principles and country.
