# Biden considering dropping out (Update: Biden drops out) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 3, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690 "2024-07-03T16:50:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/441 "2024-07-08T01:11:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > People are gonna wake up, or we will see the end of Democracy as we know it. And I think they will wake up. The people who need to wake up are the close circle of Biden family/friends/aides who think he should stay in the race. As for the voters, I can only see them “waking up” to the realization that Biden shouldn’t run. There are not going to be fewer demonstrations of wobbliness from Biden, there are only going to be more. He cannot and will not recover from age-related infirmities. That just isn’t the way life works. It’s not like he had a concussion that temporarily messed with his cognition that he will recovery from. I object to this portrayal of Biden merely having an Obama-style bad debate. Yes, it was a bad debate night for him, but it demonstrated a lot more than just one “bad night”. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/442 "2024-07-08T02:41:26Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > If you accept the idea of an omnipotent God who cares about humanity, it logically follows that God decides (even if that’s by choosing not to interfere). > > The alternatives are that there is no God, that God is not omnipotent, that God doesn’t particularly care… pick your favourite. > > I don’t think a loving God would have brought us Trump, though. Look up the definition of theodicy. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/443 "2024-07-08T14:02:51Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Were you going to vote for Biden earlier but changed your mind? I was, because I’m so terrified of Trump. I still am. I guess the difference is that now I think Biden is a self-entitled egotist with limited cognition and zero communication skills, and I’m pissed off. Before the debate I was willing to just hold my nose and vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/444 "2024-07-08T14:06:32Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > I was, because I’m so terrified of Trump. I still am. I guess the difference is that now I think Biden is a self-entitled egotist with limited cognition and zero communication skills, and I’m pissed off. Before the debate I was willing to just hold my nose and vote for him. I always advise voting strategically and impersonally. If Biden’s a terrible puppy-kicking egomaniac, but his presidency would be less bad than a Trump presidency, voting for him is a move toward a better world–and who cares if it gives him, just one person out of eight billion, what he wants? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/445 "2024-07-08T14:07:42Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > I guess the difference is that now I think Biden is a self-entitled egotist with limited cognition and zero communication skills, and I’m pissed off. Wow. You must not think Trump is that bad. I think Trump is so incredibly awful, and so dangerous to America and Americans, that even a Democrat who is a “self-entitled egotist with limited cognition and zero communications skills” is light-years better than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/446 "2024-07-08T14:08:16Z")
Yeah but I think you missed my earlier post where I said I live in a blue state and it’s going to the Electoral College anyway, so in practice my vote doesn’t count anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/447 "2024-07-08T14:08:49Z")
So if your vote counted (i.e. you lived in a swing state), you’d vote for Biden? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/448 "2024-07-08T14:08:55Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Yeah but I think you missed my earlier post where I said I live in a blue state and it’s going to the Electoral College anyway, so in practice my vote doesn’t count anyhow. I did miss that–in which case, absolutely vote your heart! I’m in NC, where we’re on the razor’s edge. Goddamn does moving somewhere blue sound relaxing. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/449 "2024-07-08T14:09:53Z")
Yes, Biden is better than Trump. But I live in a blue state and my vote doesn’t count. So I’m voting my conscience. I’m not voting for ANYONE for president this time, unless I might write in someone. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/450 "2024-07-08T14:12:19Z")
Great! You’d vote for Biden if you lived in a swing state! So this didn’t “move the needle” for you either, in functional terms. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/451 "2024-07-08T14:15:20Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > Full transparency: I haven’t voted for anyone for president in the general election since 2012 and don’t anticipate voting for either candidate this year. I think if you care about democracy, you should do whatever it takes to keep a fascist out of the White House. Even if it means holding your nose and voting for someone who may not be your ideal candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/452 "2024-07-08T14:56:41Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Now, if he drops out of the race for a current medical issue, while remaining President, that is going to put Harris is a tough position where she has to defend the indefensible. What’s indefensible? My best-case scenario is Biden dropping out of the race – without resigning – and giving Harris his full endorsement. His message: _I’m being honest with you and with myself. This job is hard, and I’m not the guy I was four years ago. I can’t do the job and campaign at the same time. If you want to keep the country on the right track and keep a sleazy, convicted, treasonous con man out of the White House, vote for Kamala Harris_. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/453 "2024-07-08T15:06:08Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > What’s indefensible? A lot of people have serious objections to Biden’s support of Netanyahu. What’s going on in Gaza is absolutely indefensible, but people have different ideas on who bears what responsibility (and this isn’t the thread to go over it.) I did have one conversation (pre-debate) with a lifelong Democrat who is considering not voting because of the issue. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/454 "2024-07-08T15:20:34Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > A lot of people have serious objections to Biden’s support of Netanyahu. Biden doesn’t support Netanyahu. Bidan supports Israel. And Biden has to keep his party together while navigating the mother of all wedge issues. I don’t envy him. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/455 "2024-07-08T15:27:45Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > > [@Akaj](#): > > > > What’s indefensible? > > A lot of people have serious objections to Biden’s support of Netanyahu. I thought @PhillyGuy was implying that Harris replacing Biden in the race while Biden remained president was somehow indefensible. But yes, Harris will have to defend all of Biden’s actions (or inactions) since he became president. Unfortunately that includes Gaza. Fortunately, it also includes a long list of positives, which I believe she can defend better than he can at this point. I also think she can do a better job of making Trump look like an idiot. It shouldn’t be that hard but Biden’s not getting it done. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/456 "2024-07-08T15:35:59Z")
I just made a comment on this in a different thread. Briefly the best political option is getting the ceasefire deal done with a path to future discussions open. Threading the needle on an issue that seriously wedges those who support or lean to you is otherwise lose lose. FWIW Harris has been more vocal about ratcheting pressure on the Bibi government than Biden has been, yet her Jewish connections would likely reassure the staunch full throated Israel no questions asked voters that Israel would not be thrown under the bus. Of course possibly off set by some Jew haters. She could do a better job keeping the focus on SCOTUS, reproductive rights, and the threat of an imperial presidency. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/457 "2024-07-08T15:37:54Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Biden doesn’t support Netanyahu. > > Bidan supports Israel. I was trying to encapsulate the objections to the current issues without getting into the details and hijacking the thread; pro-Israel can imply anti-Palestine, and I didn’t want to go there. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/458 "2024-07-08T16:18:31Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I thought @PhillyGuy was implying that Harris replacing Biden in the race while Biden remained president was somehow indefensible. Yes. The word indefensible was too strong. However, the GOP would make a big issue over the idea that if Biden isn’t healthy enough to campaign, he isn’t healthy enough to govern. And I think it would make more sense than most of their other claims. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/459 "2024-07-08T16:21:13Z")
Sure, but I’m not sure that would reflect badly on Harris. It might make Biden more unpopular, but he would no longer be the candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/460 "2024-07-08T16:22:38Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > the GOP would make a big issue over the idea that if Biden isn’t healthy enough to campaign, he isn’t healthy enough to govern. Fine, let them. They’d be campaigning against a guy who isn’t even running. And to what end? “Biden should resign and make Harris president, even though we’re campaigning against her becoming president?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690.md?page=24)