2024 US Presidential Elections Megathread

[frunk]

My bigger concern are the people who are going to feel disenfranchised by a bunch of pressure being applied to the Democratic nominee to withdraw.  I think a much bigger chunk of them are likely to change their vote than the theoretical people that might be pulled in by whoever the new nominee is (which isn't supported by any polling).

[garbon]

My bigger concern are the people who are going to feel disenfranchised by a bunch of pressure being applied to the Democratic nominee to withdraw.  I think a much bigger chunk of them are likely to change their vote than the theoretical people that might be pulled in by whoever the new nominee is (which isn't supported by any polling).

Are there Biden "ride or dies"?

[HVC]

Don't know if there are die hard Bideners (Bidenites?), but admitting defeat, even in self sacrifice, would probably dishearten some. Maybe more then are brought in by Kamala .

I think it's best just to cough a bit and call in a sickie. Best of both worlds.

[Valmy]

My bigger concern are the people who are going to feel disenfranchised by a bunch of pressure being applied to the Democratic nominee to withdraw.  I think a much bigger chunk of them are likely to change their vote than the theoretical people that might be pulled in by whoever the new nominee is (which isn't supported by any polling).

That seems like a pretty insignificant concern in this case. There was no primary, really. So there was never really an effort to enfranchise people on who the nominee was going to be. If there had been a real competitive primary where Biden has beaten off serious challengers I could see this but in this situation?

And the man has had an approval rating in the 30s for years.

[DGuller]

Yeah, in this particular case, the primaries de facto never happened, so there is no franchise to dis.  I think everyone understands that this isn't the case of insiders overruling the voters.

[frunk]

That seems like a pretty insignificant concern in this case. There was no primary, really. So there was never really an effort to enfranchise people on who the nominee was going to be. If there had been a real competitive primary where Biden has beaten off serious challengers I could see this but in this situation?

And the man has had an approval rating in the 30s for years.

It wasn't competitive because no one had a chance of beating Biden in the primary, not because the primary wasn't held.  If it was a competitive primary that would argue more for Biden to withdraw in favor of whoever was in contention, rather than "this guy won overwhelmingly, now we are going to get rid of him".

[Sheilbh]

Yeah - they're not Biden backers necessarily but there has been a bit of "why are you mentioning this? Back the team" and some stuff about how sharp and on the ball he is in private online. I imagine as those people are, I assume, just hard-core Democrats so probably fine, but I think it might be worth Democrats thinking how to manage them and what sort of messaging might work.

[Tonitrus]

Thinking of potential VP candidates....

If one were to assume Harris would be the nominee were to Biden to step aside...Gov. Newsom might be a terrible idea as a running mate...two Californians on the ticket would not be terribly helpful.

Could easily foresee a Harris/Whitmer ticket, and let the right-wing chauvinism run amok.

A cunning option might be Liz Cheney...but I would highly doubt the possibility.

[grumbler]

Two Californians on the ticket would be unconstitutional.

[Valmy]

Two Californians on the ticket would be unconstitutional.

And we desperately need Wisconsin and Michigan anyway.

[Zoupa]

I've read chatter about Harris/Buttigieg. The Democrats are such losers.

[Tonitrus]

Two Californians on the ticket would be unconstitutional.

Forgot that part, thanks for the reminder. 

[Tonitrus]

I've read chatter about Harris/Buttigieg. The Democrats are such losers.

I like Buttigieg quite a bit...and from what I have seen, he is best in an technical/executive-type position...something a cabinet secretary (or mayor/governor) can be, but a VP cannot.  But he would not be able to help the Democrats turn over Indiana...but Whitmer would help with Michigan.

[Valmy]

Wisconsin and Michigan are the new Florida.

Though Arizona, North Carolina, and Georgia are right there as well.

[Syt]