# Biden considering dropping out (Update: Biden drops out)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690>\
**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:** 26

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**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/501 "2024-07-08T22:47:30Z")

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> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> But they don’t tell us anything about whether another candidate would be doing better. It’s just a guess. .

Possibly. But that pattern we see with Biden is historically unusual.

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**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, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/502 "2024-07-08T22:49:31Z")

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There’s also 4 more months – and, for a positive perspective, voters willing to vote for a Democratic Senate candidate are probably “gettable” for Biden (or another Democrat). We don’t know if Biden or Harris would be more likely to get them, but whoever it is will surely try. The convention and late advertising will focus on abortion, democracy, and the other big issues that will (hopefully) get any “gettable” voters.

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**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/503 "2024-07-08T23:14:23Z")

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Well, Biden’s press secretary did a great job throwing gas on the Parkinson’s doctor visits by refusing to answer what they were actually about.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/504 "2024-07-08T23:15:20Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> Well, Biden’s press secretary did a great job throwing gas on the Parkinson’s doctor visits by refusing to answer what they were actually about. -

You do understand that he’d be violating HIPAA privacy laws to do so, right?

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**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, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/505 "2024-07-08T23:17:08Z")

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> [@Dr\_Paprika](#):
>
> Better to have a convention soon and vote, inviting other candidates.

There’s an article proposing that in the Atlantic:

> **[A Scheme for Biden to Preserve His Dignity](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/biden-release-delegates-dnc-option/678925/)**
>
> Asking the country to trust him is no longer a credible option. He should release the delegates and run in an open convention.

And Biden sort-of, maybe, suggested it this morning:

[Biden slams “elites,” dares critics to challenge him at Democratic convention](https://www.axios.com/2024/07/08/biden-democrats-2024-trump)

The problem I see is state laws binding delegates to vote per primary results on the first ballot. This goes away if Joe drops out. But I question whether a statement releasing delegates is sufficient.

Maybe it will vary depending on differing state laws. Does anyone know?

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**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/506 "2024-07-08T23:17:17Z")

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> [@Aspenglow](#):
>
> You do understand that he’d be violating HIPAA privacy laws to do so, right?

Biden could always agree to wave such protection.

And if they weren’t about Biden but medical for someone else, say that without naming names. And if they were for some third reason that isn’t about someone’s medical status, give that reason.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/507 "2024-07-08T23:19:29Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> Biden could always agree to wave such protection.

Waive.

So could Trump. He never did though, did he? Does that concern you at all?

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**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/508 "2024-07-08T23:22:09Z")

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> [@Aspenglow](#):
>
> So could Trump. He never did though, did he? Does that concern you at all?

No, because we all know Trump lies about everything.

But hey, if the Democrats want to lose a winnable election to Trump yet again, it wouldn’t surprise me.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/509 "2024-07-08T23:22:53Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> But hey, if the Democrats want to lose a winnable election to Trump yet again, it wouldn’t surprise me.

Except Biden didn’t lose against Trump.

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**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, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/510 "2024-07-08T23:24:09Z")

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Biden didn’t lose against Trump—the one time they competed. Past results are not a guarantee of future performance.

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**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/511 "2024-07-08T23:24:52Z")

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True. But no one has offered a scenario that is more certain that someone else can do it.

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**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, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/512 "2024-07-08T23:28:41Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> And if they weren’t about Biden but medical for someone else, say that without naming names.

While the White House physician can treat lots of employees there, I think if they bring in outside specialists, it is almost surely for Joe or Jill. So there is a legitimate privacy issue.

That Parkinson’s doc is board certified in neurology and can evaluate or treat many diseases, some quite short term. I am all for Joe dropping out, but am totally unimpressed by looking at the visitor list to diagnose the President.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/513 "2024-07-08T23:30:43Z")

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Well, you get exactly one trial for this election and no do-overs. I just don’t want to hear another four years of blaming everyone but the losing candidate when Trump wins again.

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**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, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/514 "2024-07-08T23:43:51Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> But hey, if the Democrats want to lose a winnable election to Trump yet again, it wouldn’t surprise me.

I am so sure that the Democrats want to beat Trump.

The Democrats who want Joe to run sincerely believe he can campaign and win.

I look at the polls since March 2023 and see an unusually static race where Biden is always behind and the undecided are few. And I think we already can see advertising and campaigning are unable to change this. Only dramatic events can change it.

But that’s me. Others have good reason to think differently. Thus these discussions.

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**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/515 "2024-07-08T23:46:26Z")

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I’m rapidly coming to the conclusion that all of this is vibe-based, with no connection to any real objective evidence whatsoever. Which makes sense, this being politics, but it does make me wonder if there’s a point to arguments among the general public.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/516 "2024-07-08T23:50:20Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> But hey, if the Democrats want to lose a winnable election to Trump yet again, it wouldn’t surprise me.

Sadly, every other choice does worse vs trump. Harris is close to Biden vs trump, but doesnt quite poll as well.

Now it trump dies or drops out- it is a whole 'nother ball game.

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**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/517 "2024-07-08T23:50:34Z")

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This I agree with. Any decision should be thoughtful, based on available metrics and a thorough analysis of available options and the threats, obstacles and benefits associated with them. Most people have a firm gut belief, IMO developed in a panic, and that is no way to make decisions.

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/518 "2024-07-08T23:51:30Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> Biden could always agree to wave such protection.

Would you have the actual patient waive their rights too?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/519 "2024-07-08T23:54:51Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> No, because we all know Trump lies about everything.

And that means it is now o.k.?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out-update-biden-drops-out/1003690/520 "2024-07-08T23:57:33Z")

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> [@asterion](#):
>
> Well, you get exactly one trial for this election and no do-overs. I just don’t want to hear another four years of blaming everyone but the losing candidate when Trump wins again.

Lying, cheating, election rigging, Russian influence-none of that matters at all, and can’t be blamed.

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