The curtain has finally fallen on Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign, a tumultuous ride that has left the Democratic Party reeling. The president’s decision to drop out of the race has sparked a new era of uncertainty, with Vice President Kamala Harris emerging as the likely frontrunner. However, the transition has been marked by confusion, with Biden initially leaving unclear whether he would endorse Harris. A 30-minute period of uncertainty ensued before the president finally threw his support behind his deputy.
The Democratic Party will now head into an open convention next month, with Harris poised to receive endorsements from top Democrats. However, her campaign is facing opposition from supporters of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who have circulated an anti-Kamala memo. Newsom, who is seen as a potential challenger to Harris, has been gaining momentum and could potentially pose a threat to the vice president’s candidacy.
The chaotic convention will also serve as a stark reminder of the Democratic Party’s depleted candidate bench. The Obama presidency’s failure to nurture new talent has left the party with a dearth of prepared and capable candidates. In 2020, many up-and-coming politicians were exposed as unprepared for the presidency, and only Biden was able to capitalize on the field’s weaknesses. Newsom and Harris are now the party’s best hopes, but their prospects are uncertain. With Trump’s campaign gaining momentum, the Democratic Party faces a daunting task in winning the election. Harris’s campaign will need to overcome significant challenges, including her trailing Trump in key swing states and her tendency to struggle on the campaign trail.
