Amid the ongoing fallout from Joe Biden’s debate performance, discussions within top Democratic circles have already shifted to who Kamala Harris’ running mate might be.
Many leading party officials, operatives, and donors are convinced that the president’s slow efforts to revive his campaign won’t succeed. Several close allies are skeptical about his ability to handle the reelection campaign he has committed to, according to CNN, which had conversations with two dozen Democratic politicians and operatives.
Biden often says not to compare him to the almighty, but to the alternative. Increasingly, Democrats are applying this principle to Harris.
The vice president and her team have largely ignored the numerous calls and texts they’ve received, steadfastly supporting Biden and expressing pride in sticking by him.
However, Harris has already made some adjustments. After last week’s debate, her office updated her schedule to join Biden for the Fourth of July picnic and fireworks. She has not previously attended this event, typically adhering to her own Independence Day tradition of visiting a local fire station. Additionally, after Democratic governors rejected the White House’s initial offer to have her address them instead of Biden, she was added to the meeting and concluded it with a speech urging unity and continued support for the president.
This move keeps her close to Biden, but it also shows Biden keeping her close.
Despite her efforts, Democratic politics has started to shift around her, as has former President Donald Trump’s campaign, which has begun attacking Harris. Several officials have said that they have started urging donors who doubt Harris’ chances to support her.
Other officials and advisers are planning to convince Biden to immediately endorse Harris, release his Democratic delegates, and ask them to support her. They believe former presidents and party leaders would then follow suit to avoid a contentious primary battle for the Democratic ticket.
Top Democrats hope that an open race would focus on selecting Harris’ running mate, with leading Democratic governors being the primary contenders. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear are the most discussed; the list also includes Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Tim Walz of Minnesota. However, this approach would deny Harris the deference given to other modern presidential nominees in choosing their running mate.
A Democratic senator used an extended and colorful metaphor to describe the shift to Harris, comparing Biden and his vice president to a star quarterback who needs to be benched and their backup.
“We start talking in the huddle: ‘Do we put in the backup QB?’ The backup knows our team, the backup knows the plays, the backup has played in the NFL,” the senator said. “The crowd in the stands full of passionate fans starts chanting: ‘Put in the kid from Alabama!’ ‘Put in the QB from Wisconsin!’ All just because the backup threw an interception earlier. But we know the backup and have confidence in them.”
The senator highlighted the difference between donors worried about Harris’ chances and those focusing on the realistic options available now.
“I just want to say to all the fans: ‘Do you not get that they’ve only played college, they’ve never played a single play in the NFL? They don’t know our team or the plays?’” the senator said. “The players are like, ‘That’s nuts. Let’s see if our star quarterback is coming back.’ But if he doesn’t, the idea of suddenly drafting someone from a school with a different playbook who hasn’t played a single game in the NFL is a huge risk.”
There are also logistical considerations in making Harris the Democratic nominee. She could take over the Biden campaign’s fundraising and infrastructure since she is already part of the current ticket.
“It’s a straight shot and she’s ready to roll. We’ve got to be decisive, too,” said Tim Ryan, the former Ohio congressman. He mentioned that he’s been getting a lot of private agreements from former colleagues and others after suggesting Biden should step aside for Harris. “It plays right into the stereotype that Democrats are weak. With one fell swoop, you can change so many different narratives.”
Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz dismissed the speculation.
“President Biden is our nominee, Vice President Harris is our running mate, and we will win this November,” he said.
