# President Biden Dropping Out of Race **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** kamala-harris\ **Created:** [July 21, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540 "2024-07-21T18:05:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/221 "2024-07-21T23:55:11Z")
It won’t, for reasons I’ve tried to explain for a year now. Black people are not going to show up for Harris now, in 2024. They did in the last election because the demographics were different then. This board just doesn’t seem to understand that, even with the polls confirming it. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/222 "2024-07-21T23:58:11Z")
Headlines now say Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro have endorsed Harris. So much for chaos theory. EDIT: Snarky\_Kong beat me to it with Newsom. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/223 "2024-07-22T00:05:00Z")
Hahaha, yep. What a jackanapes! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/224 "2024-07-22T00:05:12Z")
The American public. Somebody like Trump shouldn’t be a serious contender for dogcatcher, much less President. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/225 "2024-07-22T00:05:25Z")
LegalEagle already has a video [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mPt-4Eqr35I/maxresdefault.jpg "What Happens Now That Biden Dropped Out?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPt-4Eqr35I) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/226 "2024-07-22T00:05:41Z")
> [@split\_p\_j](#): > > It won’t, for reasons I’ve tried to explain for a year now. Black people are not going to show up for Harris now, in 2024. T You’ll have to explain that to me again, because every Black person I’ve seen on TV today (at least the Democrats) are firmly in her corner. Why wouldn’t they be? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/227 "2024-07-22T00:07:40Z")
Harris was on the primary ticket. When I voted for Biden I voted for her. She is the one. The only question should be vp. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/228 "2024-07-22T00:08:37Z")
You know, for all the talk about how dysfunctional the Dems are, they seem pretty organised to me, when it counts. 2020 - other candidates quickly coalesced aground Joe when it was becoming clear he had the momentum in the primaries; 2024 - heavy hitters and potential candidates quickly coalescing around Harris to show broad party support in an unusual situation. Compare that to how many of the GOP candidates in 2016 agreed that Trump was terrible, and expected the other candidates to drop out to give themself a clear shot at Trump. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/229 "2024-07-22T00:08:45Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > If Biden is not up to the job next year, he’s not up to the job now. He should resign immediately and let Harris run as the incumbent president. I sent the President a respectful email, a few weeks ago, thanking him for his service and accomplishments, and politely suggesting he resign. So I take what you say seriously. Obviously Biden went in a little different way. But I think it is justifiable. Cognitive decline — and I do believe he is in the midst of it — is a gradual process. Biden still has strengths. Taking some of the job off of Biden’s plate this year — the campaigning — while planning to retire early next year — is responsible adult behavior. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/230 "2024-07-22T00:11:49Z")
You know who else thinks Kamala is a great candidate, to the tune of thousands of dollars in donations? > **[Trump and Ivanka gave thousands to previous Kamala Harris campaigns](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-donated-kamala-harris-b2583459.html)** > > ‘I’ve given to everybody’ Trump once admitted ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/231 "2024-07-22T00:14:15Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > You know, for all the talk about how dysfunctional the Dems are, they seem pretty organised to me, when it counts. And they have integrity that makes me proud. I firmly believe that Biden still has the cognitive skills to be president, but he’s lost the ability to work exhausting hours and command the role as spokesman for the country. And when that happened, the party directed him to retire and pass the torch gracefully. Whereas the republicans have no principles. When an aging crank rose to the top of their party, they just abandoned all standards and lined up in lockstep. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/232 "2024-07-22T00:15:00Z")
> [@split\_p\_j](#): > > It won’t, for reasons I’ve tried to explain for a year now. Black people are not going to show up for Harris now, in 2024. They did in the last election because the demographics were different then. I am pasty-white and not anywhere close to Black, but I would ask: Black people don’t want another Black president? Black women don’t want a Black woman president? They won’t “show up” for Harris? Does that mean voting for Trump? Or not going to the polls at all? > [@](#): > > This board just doesn’t seem to understand that, even with the polls confirming it. I personally can’t “understand that” without some substantial proof/analysis, since it would seem to be a claim contrary to normal psychology. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/233 "2024-07-22T00:15:57Z")
Agreed. Well said. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/234 "2024-07-22T00:16:09Z")
The way every last single Democrat is tripping over himself to get a statement on social media endorsing Harris, I’d venture to say that that was a part of the deal, you know. Biden probably said he’d only drop out on the condition of absolute party unity for Harris - let them squabble over the veep slot. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/235 "2024-07-22T00:18:09Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > But I think it is justifiable. Cognitive decline — and I do believe he is in the midst of it — is a gradual process. Biden still has strengths. Taking some of the job off of Biden’s plate this year — the campaigning — while planning to retire early next year — is responsible adult behavior. Right. I don’t even know if Biden’s thinking is muddled, but his energy and ability to speak cogently have clearly declined at a rapid pace. I think his being president for a few more months is not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/236 "2024-07-22T00:19:22Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Biden probably said he’d only drop out on the condition of absolute party unity for Harris - let them squabble over the veep slot. Could be. If so, smart move. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/237 "2024-07-22T00:21:15Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Right. I don’t even know if Biden’s thinking is muddled, but his energy and ability to speak cogently have clearly declined at a rapid pace. I think his being president for a few more months is not an issue Just came across this article in the New Yorker, posted a couple of days ago: > **[Doctors Are Increasingly Worried About Biden](https://www.newyorker.com/science/medical-dispatch/doctors-are-increasingly-worried-about-biden)** > > Nine physicians weighed in on the President’s health. Almost all were concerned that Biden’s symptoms might go beyond a gradual, aging-related decline. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/238 "2024-07-22T00:22:24Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I think voters are going to be excited to elect a woman of color (I know I am), and Harris can claim all of the accomplishments of this very successful administration. While I think Harris has a reasonable chance of victory, this kind of talk — although inevitable — has me worried a bit. The election is going to be determined by the so-called double haters — those who consider Harris and Trump (EDIT – corrected that name!) a choice between two evils. Crazy? Maybe, but all the campaigning in the world is not going to change this. And saying that being a woman of color is a reason to vote for a candidate is like nails on the chalkboard for a lot of those voters. It sounds too much like that Harris is an affirmative action pick. I say she is the most qualified pick. How many times has Joe Manchin met Zelenskyy? Similarly, if Shapiro is thr VP pick, no need to say over and over that he would be the first Jewish VP. Everyone who thinks it a positive will already know. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/239 "2024-07-22T00:23:47Z")
Yeah, and my mom just died in February at age 81, and it was the furthest thing from sudden: a year-plus of heartbreak and harrowing situations. Things can change very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/240 "2024-07-22T00:26:14Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > And when that happened, the party directed him to retire and pass the torch gracefully. Statement from Winston Churchill on political leadership and succession: > The loyalties which centre upon number one are enormous. If he trips he must be sustained. If he makes mistakes they must be covered. If he sleeps he must not be wantonly disturbed. If he is no good he must be pole-axed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540.md?page=13)