Tom Fitton is claiming that sources have told him that Joe Biden will resign from the Presidency next week.
I'm hearing Biden is going to resign next week.
— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) July 3, 2024
When Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called a senior official with President Biden’s campaign, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, on Friday night, she wanted to make it clear that she was not behind the rumors about her being a potential replacement for Biden. Whitmer expressed her frustration with the speculation and reiterated her commitment to supporting the president. She also voiced concerns about how Biden’s campaign would be more challenging following his poor debate performance.
Whitmer’s call to O’Malley Dillon was awkward, given the context. The conversation was reported by someone close to a potential 2028 Whitmer rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. This person claimed Whitmer had called with an urgent message that Michigan might not be winnable for Biden after the debate.
In a statement released after the column went online, Whitmer affirmed her support for Biden and expressed confidence in his ability to win Michigan. The political maneuvering highlights the intense competition among Democratic governors who are eager to succeed Biden, yet wary of being seen as disloyal.
No Democratic leaders, other than Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, have more at stake in Biden’s political fate than the governors. If Biden were to drop out, a quick contest to replace him would likely ensue. However, any governor who speaks up now risks being seen as self-serving and disloyal, which could hurt their future political prospects.
Democratic governors are frustrated and anxious about Biden’s chances. They publicly support him but are privately critical. They know that expressing doubts about Biden’s candidacy could be politically damaging, especially if it appears they are trying to position themselves for a future run.
A Biden adviser suggested that while Democratic governors might want an easier path to victory, they would have to contend with Harris first. The adviser expressed skepticism about any governor being ready to take on the challenge, especially Whitmer.
