Biden out, Harris in

After months of scrutiny by independent and pro-Republican Party media about his failing mental and physical condition, US president Joe Biden has finally accepted the reality by opting out of the presidential race after a growing number of Democrats wanted his to step aside and despite his wife Jill’s insistence that he stay on the race. Nothing like this has happened since Lyndon B. Johnson(LBJ) decided against running for re-election in 1968. Even then, LBJ made the announcement in March, not July. Like Biden, LBJ withdrew because the writing was on the wall: he faced health concerns and was deeply unpopular due to the Vietnam War. Politicians are driven to be at the top, but numbers can sway their decisions—be it polls or financial backing. For Biden, his disastrous debate with Trump on June 27 served as the last straw. The pro-Democratic party mainstream liberal media had so far kept his worsening health conditions hidden but the CNN debate exposed the worst hidden scam in the USA. The scam was that the President of the US was not in control in the White House since he could hardly understand what’s going on. Earlier, Biden would have nothing to do with calls for him to step aside. In an ABC interview, Biden hinted that only the “Lord Almighty,” devastating poll results, or influential figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Rep. Jim Clyburn could persuade him to step aside. However, the cunning Pelosi, a skilful political operator, led the charge, closely monitoring polls and heeding swing-state Democrats’ concerns about plummeting numbers. Eventually, Biden moved from denial to acceptance. Biden’s announcement has made Democrats feel rejuvenated for the first time since before the debate. However that doesn’t guarantee victory, but it has injected much-needed enthusiasm and financial support. Following Biden’s withdrawal, Democrats donated $46.7 million through Act Blue, marking the largest single day of Democratic donations since the 2020 election. In all likelihood vice president Kamala Harris, whose father is Jamaican and mother Indian, is likely to be the Democratic party nominee. The campaign is now reset and Republicans now have to strategise against Harris. With Harris as the likely nominee, Republicans face a different opponent-a younger candidate, a former prosecutor, and potentially the first Black female and Asian American president. This shifts the narrative, presenting risks in how Republicans address Harris, that differs from opposing another older white man. However Harris’s nomination is not a sure success. She faces a challenge from within the party and has to also poll at least 300 delegates. Considering Biden’s 3,900 delegates, it’s a formidable task. Polls need to be set aside as the race starts anew. Previously, Harris polled similarly to Biden, but now she faces unprecedented scrutiny as the likely nominee. She has significant strengths -youth, prosecutorial skills, and the potential to energize key Democratic bases like Black voters and younger voters. Yet, she must overcome past campaign struggles, criticisms from both the right and left, and prove her messaging abilities as vice president before officially becoming the party candidate to face Trump in November 2024. For Trump, facing a Democratic woman candidate who served in the White House is not new. He defeated a more dynamic and popular Democratic candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016.