Staff Reports
Democrats are spinning their wheels trying to stick with President Biden, despite his latest public debacle, hoping to calm the waters from his feeble debate performance. Governors eyeing the White House are putting on a brave face, pledging loyalty to Biden—at least publicly.
Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, whose ambition isn’t exactly a secret, admitted that the rumors about him stepping up are flattering. Yet, he pledged allegiance to Biden, saying he’d support the President’s bid as long as he stays in the race. One can only imagine how long that’ll last if Biden continues to stumble.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan reached out to the Biden camp, possibly to convince them she’s not behind the whispers of needing a fresh face. But she did warn them that winning Michigan ain’t going to be a walk in the park this time around. Probably because voters in Michigan still have memories of lockdowns and economic turmoil fresh in their minds.
Popular Democratic governors publicly back Biden while floated as replacementshttps://t.co/quM8mwY2Cm pic.twitter.com/2Anr82DAgZ
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 2, 2024
The aftermath of Biden’s disastrous debate suggests a growing unease among Democrats. The campaign is in full damage control, trying to assure everyone that Grandpa Joe still has what it takes. It’s a tough sell when the candidate looks one nap away from a nursing home.
With new doubts about Biden’s capacity to win—let alone govern—a power struggle is brewing under the surface. They may not say it out loud, but party insiders are contemplating a what-if scenario where Biden might need replacing.
If Biden were to bow out, the popcorn will fly as a who’s who of Democratic hopefuls scramble for the ticket. Governors like Gavin Newsom of California, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois are reportedly already in the wings, sharpening their knives.
Beshear, who managed to get reelected in deep-red Kentucky, seems to think his name is being thrown around because of his supposed bipartisan success. He suggested Kentucky has become a model for cooperation despite hard political divides. It’s a nice narrative but sounds more like someone laying the groundwork for a future run, Biden or no Biden.
Democrats are in a tight spot. They need to decide whether to stick with a floundering incumbent or risk a messy internal battle for a replacement. Either way, the circus is just beginning.
