President Biden’s resistance to pressure to end his re-election bid appears to be a strategic move aimed at running out the clock. By refusing to step aside, he is creating a situation where it becomes increasingly difficult and risky for his opponents to replace him with another candidate.
Every day that Mr. Biden stands firm against calls for him to withdraw, the challenges of replacing him grow more insurmountable. This tactic may lead to a scenario where there is not enough time for the Democratic Party to rally behind a new nominee, especially with the looming threat of a united Republican Party nominating former President Donald J. Trump.
Despite concerns about the 81-year-old president’s health and ability to defeat Mr. Trump, the potential for weeks of internal Democratic discord may outweigh the option of selecting a new candidate. James Carville, a Democratic consultant, described the situation as chaotic, suggesting that the exhaustion from prolonged debates over a new nominee could discourage any significant change.
President Biden’s steadfast approach seems to be gaining some initial support. Several Democratic leaders in Congress have voiced their backing for him and emphasized the need to focus on countering the threat posed by Mr. Trump and his extremist agenda. Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado stated, “The urgent need right now is for Democrats to stick together and focus on the danger of Trump and his extremist agenda. If we do that, we will win.”
The timeline also plays a crucial role in President Biden’s strategy. With 35 days between July 18, when Mr. Trump is expected to accept his party’s nomination in Milwaukee, and August 22, when Mr. Biden is scheduled to accept his party’s nomination in Chicago, the Biden campaign is working to expedite the process even further in collaboration with the Democratic National Committee.
