Kamala Harris Emerges as Potential Replacement for Joe Biden in Presidential Race

In the wake of President Joe Biden’s underwhelming debate performance last week, there has been increasing pressure for him to step down from his presidential campaign. This has positioned Vice President Kamala Harris as the leading candidate to potentially replace him. Historically, the role of the Vice President has often been to support and defend the President, and Harris has been fulfilling this role diligently, especially after Biden’s recent debate with Donald Trump.

Despite the growing calls for his withdrawal, Biden has firmly rejected any suggestions of ending his campaign. On Wednesday, he reassured his team, stating, “No one is pushing me out … I’m not leaving. I’m in this race to the end and we’re going to win.” This statement came after a New York Times report indicated that Biden had privately acknowledged to his allies that his campaign might be in jeopardy if he failed to demonstrate his viability to voters.

The White House continues to deny rumors that Biden is reconsidering his campaign, but speculation about a potential replacement has intensified. Sources within Biden’s campaign, the White House, and the Democratic National Committee have indicated that Vice President Harris is the top contender to take his place.

Additionally, some Democrats are dissatisfied with the involvement of Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in White House matters, especially following his recent conviction for lying when obtaining a gun permit.

Harris’s Position and Polling Data

Harris, who served as a senator from California before becoming vice president, has remained steadfast in her support for Biden. She reassured her campaign staff on Wednesday, stating, “We will not back down. We will follow our president’s lead.”

Advocates for Harris argue that she could have a strategic advantage over Biden in a potential race against Donald Trump. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted after the debate, one-third of Democrats believe Biden should withdraw, with 81% of Democrats viewing Harris favorably compared to 78% for Biden. Although Michelle Obama was the top choice in the poll, she has consistently stated she is not running, making Harris the second-best option.

A CNN poll released on Tuesday showed Harris in a competitive position against Trump in a hypothetical matchup, with 47% supporting Trump and 45% supporting Harris, a difference within the poll’s margin of error. CNN noted that Harris’s relative strength stemmed from broader support among women and independents.

Support from Democratic Leaders

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated to party members that Harris would be the best option if Biden were to withdraw. Senior congressional Democrat James Clyburn has publicly stated his support for Harris, urging Democrats to “do everything to bolster her, whether she’s in second place or at the top of the ticket.” Similarly, Summer Lee, a House Democrat from Pennsylvania, asserted on Wednesday that Harris was the “obvious choice” to replace Biden if he decided not to continue his campaign.

Summary

• Biden’s Debate Performance: Joe Biden’s recent debate performance has led to increased pressure for him to withdraw from the presidential race.
• Harris as a Contender: Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the leading candidate to replace Biden if he steps down.
• Biden’s Stance: Biden has firmly rejected any suggestions of ending his campaign.
• Polling Data: Polls show Harris is competitive against Trump, with significant support among women and independents.
• Support from Democratic Leaders: Key Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and James Clyburn, have expressed support for Harris as a potential replacement for Biden.