Democrats could nominate Biden early to head off replacement talk
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The Democrats may stamp out suggestions that Joe Biden could be replaced by a younger candidate by installing him as their presidential nominee a month before their own convention.
Mr Biden could become the party’s official candidate as early as July 21, when the convention’s credentials committee holds a virtual meeting, sources told Bloomberg.
The Democratic National Convention, where delegates gather to traditionally cast their votes for the party’s presidential candidate, is not scheduled to begin until August 19.
It comes as Democratic politicians and donors urge the 81-year-old to stand aside for a younger successor to take on Donald Trump in November’s election, following his debate performance on Thursday.
Nevertheless, Mr Biden has signalled that he intends to fight on – something he has been encouraged to do by family members, who joined him at Camp David, the president’s country retreat, this weekend.
Among the names floated to replace Mr Biden are Gavin Newsom, the 56-year-old governor of California, and Gretchen Whitmer, 52, the governor of Michigan.
Democrats had previously planned to nominate Mr Biden before the convention began to ensure he made it onto the ballot in Ohio.
The Buckeye State had set a deadline of August 7 for candidates to be certified, although that has since been moved back.
Democrats have already altered their rules on voting procedures, allowing a potential roll-call vote “before delegates have convened in person” in Chicago, where the convention will be held.
The development would mean that Mr Biden is nominated shortly after his Republican rival, Donald Trump, who will accept his party’s nomination at the Republican convention on July 18.
The US president was widely acknowledged to have performed poorly against Trump in their debate on Thursday, as he struggled to articulate himself, mumbled, and lost his train of thought.
“I don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either,” Trump said at one point.
Nevertheless, Mr Biden declared he would fight and win the presidential election in a fiery appearance at a rally in North Carolina the following day.
Members of the Biden family have urged him to continue his re-election bid while pinning blame for the debate performance on his inner circle – notably Bob Bauer, the US president’s personal attorney, and his wife, senior adviser Anita Dunn.
