Joe Biden has finally taken decisive action – by recommending his vice president Kamala Harris as his replacement to fight Donald Trump.
The Democrat US president took long weeks to come to the same conclusion as millions of others, that he was not up to the job in hand.
But he has come to a different decision from many in saying that Ms Harris, 59, is the right person to fight Republican Trump in the forthcoming presidential election.
Mr Biden said in a tweet on X, after telling followers that he was not accepting the nomination as presidential candidate: ‘My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
‘Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.’
Mr Biden said in a tweet on X: ‘Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this’
But some believe ‘star’ power, rather than four years’ experience like Kamala Harris has in the White House, is needed to challenge Mr Trump. Accordingly, Michelle Obama (pictured in 2015), wife of America’s first black president Barack, has been touted by some as a potential candidate
Ms Harris has been hailed by supporters as a trailblazer. The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, she has been the first black, first Asian, and first female vice president.
Critics however have attacked her for poor public speaking skills, with her opponent Mr Trump openly, albeit characteristically, scornful.
And some polls have shown her less popular even than ailing, ageing, president Biden, in the vital swing states likely to settle the election. Her opponents argue letting her run would amount to admitting defeat.
As a result – and with the prize being the most important job in the world, and the goal to prevent a second Trump presidency – challengers to a Harris nomination are bound to come forward.
Full scale internal Democratic election processes cannot take place as Biden has already been chosen as the candidate, so contenders will have to put themselves forward at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.
Biden announced his historic decision to step aside in a one-page letter posted to X where he committed to completing his term, but did not fully endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement until a follow-up social media post
Democrats proud of their party’s progressive traditions balk at the notion of the first black vice president potentially being pushed to one side. If elected, her husband Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, would become America’s first ever First Gentleman, after two and half centuries of First Ladies.
But some believe ‘star’ power, rather than four years’ experience as the reserve in the White House, is needed to challenge Mr Trump, famous since the 1980s, with bit parts in films and his starring role as presenter of The Apprentice, US, reality TV show.
Accordingly, Michelle Obama, wife of America’s first black president Barack, has been touted by some as a potential candidate.
Certainly she would be instantly recognisable to the entire electorate. Whether that would be entirely positive for swing voters is another question.
Yet she has given no indication she would consider seeking public office. Neither has film star George Clooney, another fantasy pick for the role, known to all, intelligent, and already prominent as a fundraising and donor for the Democrats (as well as having helped nudge Mr Biden to step down).
Protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday urging Biden, who was ailing from COVID, to drop out of the race and allow a different candidate to lead the Democratic ticket
Some speculate either California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could also be contenders
More likely contenders include the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer. She not only made Mr Biden’s shortlist for potential vice presidents before he settled on Ms Harris in 2020, she has also sparked the ire of Mr Trump – would could be a good sign.
The would-be-second-time president has described her as ‘That woman in Michigan’. Her support for stronger gun laws may be hard to sell in swing states.
Among possible male contenders, in highly traditional America, with only male presidents in its history, are governor of California Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, and national transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg – who would be America’s first gay president.
While commentators have suggested Mr Newsom is the most realistic favourite to push Harris aside, his colourful private life – not to mention debates about soaring crime and homelessness in the state he governs, California – could be an issue with conservative voters.
Not that such matters seem to have been a concern for former president Trump.
Mr Newsom was once, when San Francisco’s mayor pictured by a glossy magazine lying on a silk rug with first wife Kimberley Guilfoyle…who is now the fiancée of one Donald Trump Jnr.
And the potential president also in 2007 confessed he had an alcohol problem when it was revealed he had an affair with his best friend and campaign manager’s wife, destroying their marriage.
Biden’s replacements – if note ‘veep’ Kamala Harris, then who?
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer, 52
Governor of Michigan
Rose to prominence during the Pandemic by criticising Trump’s handling of the crisis – then shot on to front pages when a plot was hatched by extremist Trump supporters to kidnap her.
Advocates greater gun control and cleaner energy, the very opposite of Trumpism.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama, 60
Wife of former president Barack Obama
A graduate of Princeton and Harvard, she is known to the world because while working as a young lawyer was a colleague of future president Mr Obama. They have been married 32 years, and have two daughters.
She impressed many as First Lady – and her 2018 memoir, Becoming, has sold 11. 5m copies. Has not suggested she would stand.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom, 56
Governor of California
Rated for his telegenic looks – but likely to face problems over the current condition of the ‘Golden State’. California faces budget problems, and distinctly un-telegenic images of crime, drug and homelessness problems in San Francisco and Los Angeles
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro, 51
Governor of Pennsylvania
An impressive speaker who has won praise for his governorship of what is a key swing state – and, remarkably, one poll suggested more than a third of Trump supporters locally like him. Less well-known nationwide, he is a conservative Jew who keeps the Sabbath and follows a kosher diet.
Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg, 42
US Transport Secretary
He certainly defies the trend for elderly presidential candidates – and would also be the first openly gay man to occupy the White House. Graduated from Harvard, and was also, like former Democrat president Bill Clinton, a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. Served in Afghanistan as an lieutenant in the US Navy reserve.
Oscar-winner George Clooney
George Clooney, 63
Oscar-winning film star
Known to millions around the world as a heart-throb film star, who has won an acting Oscar for his supporting role in Syriana, and another for co-producing Argo, he is also a leading Democrat supporter and fundraiser. Married to glamorous British human rights lawyer Amal. Has not suggested he would stand.
