After President Joe Biden’s widely criticized performance in the recent debate against former President Donald Trump, speculation about potential replacements for the Democratic nominee has intensified, particularly given concerns about Biden’s age and debate performance.
During the debate, Biden, who would be 82 at his hypothetical inauguration, struggled with coherence at times, drawing ridicule from Trump over his responses on issues like immigration and border security. These moments underscored ongoing concerns among voters about Biden’s vitality and mental acuity. A March poll by The New York Times revealed that 61% of his 2020 voters now consider him “just too old” for another term.
In response to these concerns, Democratic insiders have begun to float alternative nominees, including Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Betting markets, such as BetOnline.ag, have reflected these shifts, with odds for figures like Newsom, Obama, and Harris seeing significant increases following the debate.
Michelle Obama, in particular, has garnered attention, with odds on BetOnline.ag moving from 22/1 to 16/1 as speculation about her potential candidacy grows. Political analysts and oddsmakers alike have pointed to her perceived ability to challenge Trump effectively in the upcoming election.
Republicans, seizing on Biden’s debate performance, have also speculated about a potential Democratic pivot towards Michelle Obama. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas expressed confidence on social media that Democrats might replace Biden with Obama, citing her popularity and perceived ability to unify the party.
However, Obama’s office has consistently reiterated her stance against running for president, maintaining her support for Biden and Vice President Harris’ reelection campaign. Despite this, the speculation underscores the volatility and uncertainty surrounding Biden’s candidacy following his debated performance.
Mark Shanahan, a U.S. politics expert, highlighted the delicate situation facing the Democratic Party post-debate. He emphasized that while Biden retains control over his candidacy, any decision to replace him would involve complex negotiations and could impact down-ballot races in November.
