Will Biden’s announcement unify the Democratic Party?

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — They’re calling this moment historic. Something the nation hasn’t seen in over 50 years.

A sitting president dropping out of a campaign for reelection- as President Joe Biden did Sunday.

Biden drops out of the 2024 race: Now what happens?

In 1952, Harry Truman withdrew from the campaign after failing to secure a majority at the New Hampshire primary.

Most recently, Lyndon Johnson dropped out due to low approval ratings in March of 1968, following the Vietnam War.

News 8 asked local experts what the implications of Biden’s announcement are.

One United States history professor at Quinnipiac University said this election is similar to previous ones where there’s “division and uncertainty” at the top of the ticket.

Conn. leaders react to Biden dropping out of race

“Democrats need to consider how to unify the party and not run against each other. Figure out a way to speak with one voice because in 1968 they didn’t do that and there were a lot of people vying for that nomination and it ended up with Hubert Humprey and that resulted in Richard Nixon winning,” said Philip Goduti, Jr.

Meanwhile, another expert said getting behind Vice President Kamala Harris is the best way to unify the party.

“The atmosphere is going to be electric. This is what democrats are looking to do take the energy away, the electricity away from Donald Trump’s chaos machine,” said Associate Professor of National Security and Political Science Dr. Matthew Schmidt.

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