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With President Joe Biden withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, leading Republican lawmakers are intensifying calls for his resignation, arguing that if Biden is deemed unfit to run, he should not remain in office. According to a report on Axios, this push is framed as a national security concern and aims to amplify perceived Democratic instability as the November elections approach.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) have both urged Biden to resign immediately. Johnson said, "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately." Daines echoed this sentiment, expressing a lack of confidence in Biden’s ability to perform presidential duties and framing his resignation as crucial for national security.
Despite these demands, the path to removing Biden is challenging due to the Republican Party’s slim House majority and the Democrats’ control of the Senate. Additionally, GOP leaders are scrutinizing Vice President Kamala Harris, questioning her qualifications and suggesting that Senate Democrats’ reluctance to endorse her reflects doubts about her readiness to lead.
As Biden exits the presidential race, Harris is positioned as a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. However, the nomination process remains uncertain due to the absence of a formal delegate transfer system. The Democratic National Convention (DNC), beginning August 19, will address this issue in a rules committee meeting, which will be broadcast live on the DNC's YouTube page.
Under current DNC rules, pledged delegates initially vote for their assigned candidate, but with Biden’s withdrawal, delegates are free to support any candidate. A pre-convention virtual vote could consolidate support, but if that fails, an open convention might occur. The DNC’s “good conscience” rule may influence delegate behavior, though Biden's endorsement of Harris does not guarantee automatic delegate support.
Throughout his over 50-year political career, Biden has demonstrated resilience, from his early days as a Delaware senator to his presidency. His career, marked by personal and political challenges, includes significant achievements such as his role in the Senate and as vice president under Barack Obama, as well as his 2020 presidential victory.
Despite Biden’s endorsement of Harris, her path to the nomination is complicated by the procedural uncertainties and the ongoing scrutiny from Republicans. As the convention nears, the dynamics of delegate support and the final nomination process remain fluid, highlighting the complex interplay of political strategy and party loyalty in this unprecedented situation.
[Information sourced from Axios]
