Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has reportedly expressed her desire for President Joe Biden to step aside in favor of another candidate for the 2024 Democratic Party nomination. This move is seen as a potential stab at both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as Pelosi also does not want an open process to be handed over to Harris.
The discussion occurred during a July 10 meeting with the California delegation, which includes 40 members, in the Capitol building. The topic was centered on the potential next steps for the Democratic Party if Biden were to step down from the ticket. Among the concerns discussed was the possible political downsides of party elites quickly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new nominee, according to four people familiar with the discussion who spoke on condition of anonymity.
One key reason for wanting a competition instead of a coronation is to avoid the perception that party elites are selecting the nominee after around 14 million Democrats voted for Biden in the last election. Pelosi was reportedly leading this charge for an open process, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
California Democrat Rep. Zoe Lofgren suggested a “mini primary” with events hosted by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as potential solutions if Biden were to step down. It is believed that there would be no viable Democratic candidates who would challenge Harris for fear of being ostracized in this scenario.
However, some Democrats are concerned that the vice president’s chances may not be much better than those of President Biden. Others believe that a new candidate should emerge to unite everyone together and address the uncertainty surrounding the current situation.
Montana Sen. John Tester is among the Democrats who have openly called for Biden to step aside, while Cedric Richmond, a co-chair of Biden’s re-election campaign, has defended the president and urged focus on supporting his re-election bid. With many months remaining before the election, time will tell whether Pelosi’s push for an open process or other factors ultimately influence the fate of the Democratic Party nomination.
