As the Democratic National Convention quickly approaches, many Democrats remain uneasy about President Joe Biden’s potential nomination.
After his shaky debate performance on June 27 spotlighted Biden’s struggle to maintain focus and articulate his ideas, Democrats became split on their support for the current president. While some continue to back his nomination, others are calling on Biden to drop out of the race. Many Republicans, including Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), immediately criticized Biden’s performance.
Since the debate, Biden has maintained that he will stay in the race for the presidency.
Some key Ohio and Kentucky Democrats have continued to support Biden in his pursuit of the presidency.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) released a thread of statements on X (formerly known as Twitter) on July 8, asserting that “Trump is unfit to be president.” Landsman highlighted that Trump “tried to overturn an election,” supported reversing Roe v. Wade and is currently a convicted felon.
Landsman said that the stakes of the presidential election “couldn’t be higher.”
“President Biden has to be able to make this case clearly to the American people, again and again and again,” Landsman said. “Now’s the time for action, but time is running out.”
Landsman didn’t offer commentary on other options for the Democratic nomination, but he made it clear that he would oppose Trump no matter what.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he will continue to support the current president unless Biden himself chooses to step down, WLKY reported. Beshear plans to attend the 2024 DNC, which is scheduled to be held in Chicago, Ill. from Aug. 19-22.
“Now, Joe Biden is the nominee. The only way that’s not the case is if he decides he’s not going to pursue the nomination,” Beshear said on July 5.
Beshear recently attended a governors’ conference with Biden, where he said he advised Biden to be honest and direct with the public about his well-being, WLKY reported.
“My recommendation was that he have an open conversation with the public about the status of his health,” Beshear said on July 5. “For those that are worried, addressing it directly, I think, could be really beneficial.”
Beshear is among several Democrats that have repeatedly come up in conversations about potential replacements for Biden. The names that are regularly considered include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
John Cranley, the former mayor of Cincinnati, is encouraging Democrats to consider other candidates for the nomination, including many Democratic governors.
“Governors Whitmer, Shapiro, Beshear, and Polis, your country needs you,” Cranley said on X on June 28, the day after the presidential debate.
Cranley said he believes Biden should drop out of the race, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Differing stances among Democrats reflect the chaos that has ensnared the party as it scrambles to push for a decision in time for the DNC. Ohio State Sen. Catherine D. Ingram expressed her frustration with the current divide among the Democratic Party on X.
“Democrats should STOP HELPING the GOP. … Dems are fighting amongst themselves!! GRT [sic] IT TOGETHER!!!” Ingram said on X on July 9.
Currently, it’s unclear how Biden would be replaced as the Democratic nominee. Factors like timing, Biden’s willingness to step down and the DNC’s regulations will impact the nomination.
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This article appears in Jul 10-23, 2024.
