# 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:** 24
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/463 "2024-07-29T19:33:38Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > We may never know, but all signs point to a more organized effort than about which we’re currently aware. It’s a long con. The decades of seeming Democratic disorganization all built up to this one moment. 😉 (Or maybe not.) I’m guessing we won’t know until years from now when some tell-all book comes out. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/464 "2024-07-29T19:36:19Z")
The whole argument for keeping Biden was just **“incumbency, incumbency, incumbency.”** None of the Bidenites were able to explain how incumbency was supposed to suddenly help Biden jump back into a lead from trailing Trump by 6 percent in the polls, when Biden’s _always_ been an incumbent in this election. The Bidenites also claimed that getting rid of Biden and nominating Harris would lead to a repeat of 1968, when in fact doing so (nominating Kamala) greatly re-surged and revitalized the Democrats. Jill Biden: “Joe is the ONLY man for the job.” Errrr. no. (Although technically Kamala’s not a man) ---
**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 29, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/465 "2024-07-29T19:37:35Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The whole argument for keeping Biden was just **“incumbency, incumbency, incumbency.”** No it wasn’t. In fact, I rarely heard that mentioned as a factor. “He beat Trump before and can do it again.” “there will be chaos.” “No one likes Harris.” ---
**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 29, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/466 "2024-07-29T19:51:33Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The whole argument for keeping Biden was just **“incumbency, incumbency, incumbency.”** I never raised this issue, either. My concern was solely around the chaos that could ensue. I am beyond relieved it was a non-issue. Don’t paint with such a broad brush. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/467 "2024-07-29T20:04:48Z")
I was against him dropping out and my thoughts had little to do with incumbency or 1968. I felt he was the one to do the job. He’s been an excellent President, and though his debate was an abject failure (though he did make good points it was just hard to tell over dumps braying) he showed renewed vigor afterwards. However, no matter how he did after the debate the die was cast for those who didn’t want him in the first place, those who thought he was too old no matter what, and the media. The narrative had been set, and changing it became impossible. I also thought there wasn’t enough time, that the Democrats are good at circular firing squad shenanigans, which they took part in with wild abandon over Biden. I felt _historically_ it wasn’t a good idea to pitch a candidate in the middle of a campaign. I suppose that implies 68, but it just seemed a long shot. He has been an excellent President, and I felt he could do the job, but by the time he dropped out there was no other choice because he was being constantly bombarded by, “too old” “too weak” “senile” etc. etc. etc. And sadly sometimes perception is reality. People still bang on about him being weak, and he should just sit in his little lame duck pond and not make waves. Stupid. He is one of the party leaders, he is still a strong, and talented politician. He knows what he’s doing. I’m not a, “Bidenite,” I’m a good, “Presidentite.” ---
**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 29, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/468 "2024-07-29T20:06:36Z")
Beautifully said. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/469 "2024-07-29T20:09:01Z")
Thank you. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/470 "2024-07-29T20:16:27Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Jill Biden: “Joe is the ONLY man for the job.” Errrr. no. (Although technically Kamala’s not a man) And as a bonus she can slay the Nazgûl King. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/471 "2024-07-29T20:19:16Z")
Dammit, you beat me. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/472 "2024-07-29T20:43:07Z")
The only time I recall incumbency being brought up was when it was asked why the Democrats weren’t holding an open primary. It would be seen as a sign of weakness and is something that is almost never done, for a party to try to replace the incumbent with a new candidate. But that was to explain the Democrats’ behavior, I don’t recall that as being put forward as a reason in and of itself (let alone the “whole argument”) for why Biden should have been the nominee. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/473 "2024-07-29T20:44:20Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > I was against him dropping out and my thoughts had little to do with incumbency or 1968. > > I felt he was the one to do the job. He’s been an excellent President, and though his debate was an abject failure (though he did make good points it was just hard to tell over dumps braying) he showed renewed vigor afterwards. Yep, and the NYT , deciding that they would rather see trump in office as he gives them interviews, didnt help. Talk about petty. I was surprised that there werent massive cancellations due to that. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/474 "2024-07-29T20:49:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > The only time I recall incumbency being brought up was when it was asked why the Democrats weren’t holding an open primary. It would be seen as a sign of weakness and is something that is almost never done, for a party to try to replace the incumbent with a new candidate. Though, at least IMO, that didn’t make it not an “open primary” – the party didn’t cancel primaries, nor did they overtly prevent other candidates from filing. However, as you note, any Democrat who might have been a serious contender avoided running, so as not to make the party appear fractured; as a result, the only opposition which Biden faced in the primaries was from fringe candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/475 "2024-07-29T20:55:51Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > However, as you note, any Democrat who might have been a serious contender avoided running, so as not to make the party appear fractured; as a result, the only opposition which Biden faced in the primaries was from fringe candidates. Which effectively made it a closed primary, even if technically it wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/476 "2024-07-29T22:40:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yep, and the NYT , deciding that they would rather see trump in office as he gives them interviews, didnt help. Talk about petty. Rather see trump in office?? I don’t believe this for one minute. 🧐 ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/477 "2024-07-29T23:34:45Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > I also thought there wasn’t enough time, that the Democrats are good at circular firing squad shenanigans, which they took part in with wild abandon over Biden. I felt _historically_ it wasn’t a good idea to pitch a candidate in the middle of a campaign. I suppose that implies 68, but it just seemed a long shot. If Biden had dropped out right after the debate, it likely would have been bad. The center v left battles weren’t just echos of 1968, but also 2016 and 2020 when the Bernie Bros et al kept the noise going up to the convention - and with the left defecting over Palestine this time around, there was no reason to think a contested 2024 would be any different. But boy, events change things, don’t they? The assassination attempt and resulting hagiography, the steamroll of the RNC with the Vance and project 2025 in full display, and Biden giving tepid conferences from NATO where the only story was world leaders preparing for/courting Trump - the gloom of democrats right after the convention, and the feeling of being in the path of a steamroller with Biden still standing right in the way - so the deepest, deepest dread prevailed at that moment, more so than in June. And then the relief - so palpable for me personally when the news of Biden dropping out hit, even though I was with him staying on back in June. Within 10min of hearing it, I made the first national-level donation I’d made to a candidate since 2016, directly to Harris. Then I went to see if my spouse had heard the news - and my spouse had just made a similar donation, also scarcely thinking about it. We’d both independently thought on donating “no quibbling - time for the grass roots to say we’re behind Harris directly, this is an emergency for all of us, we’re united together.” And apparently, that’s the same thought that many many others had. I think without the sheer drama of the events between June and July, the Dems wouldn’t have gotten there. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/478 "2024-07-29T23:35:29Z")
I’m getting a laugh on a very bad day from the people here who think that the Democrats can pull off a caper worthy of Ocean’s 2024. The Democrats! Secret plans! Disinformation campaigns! Double bluffs! I’ve been a Democrat all my life and not once - not once! - have they ever pulled this off. Moreover, all the reporting lately has been about Biden raging against such a decision, made at the absolute last minute. Here’s one. > **[Inside Biden's historic decision to drop out of the 2024 race](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/bidens-historic-decision-drop-2024-race-rcna162930)** > > The decision was tightly held, with one integral member of Biden's re-election team finding out after a family member read a news alert. > Surrounded by a handful of trusted advisers and first lady Jill Biden at his vacation home on the Delaware coast Saturday evening, President Joe Biden reflected on a political career that spanned more than half a century and began to conclude that it would reach its end earlier than planned, according to people familiar with his decision. > > Isolated, frustrated and angry, he felt betrayed by allies who turned on him in his hour of need. Maybe the tell-all books will contradict this is coming years, but so far there has not been a single word that suggests that Biden made the decision before the day it was announced, or that anybody else in his inner circle knew of such a thing. I rate the Democrat’s ability to plan such a coup as slightly more credible than the flat earthers, but not nearly as much fun to debunk. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/479 "2024-07-30T00:00:37Z")
Yawn, I never thought it was planned way ahead, or a secret gotcha! Conspiracy theories don’t impress me, and Biden is a pretty up front sort of guy not the Machiavellian type. I don’t blame him if he felt betrayed, because many people he felt were on his side turned against him. I still blame the media narrative. That was the true manipulation, but for the most part that narrative was thoughtless, and destructive. So far we’re doing alright in spite of all the stupidity. I hope it continues. Oh, and the dems aren’t the only party that are probably incapable of the sorts of conspiracies I see bandied around here. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/480 "2024-07-30T00:23:51Z")
> **Hidden by WE?** > > If it doesn’t describe your posts, then it wasn’t about you. That’s another thing I don’t understand about this place. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/481 "2024-07-30T00:27:53Z")
> **Hidden by WE?** > > Well, you were pontificating about how silly the conspiracy theories were. I basically agreed with you. What’s your issue with that? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540/482 "2024-07-30T00:54:00Z")
**Moderating** : drop this back and forth immediately. Off topic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-biden-dropping-out-of-race/1004540.md?page=25)