With President Joe Biden announcing he will not seek another term in office, questions as to what is next for the Democratic Party are disappearing with its national convention just a few short weeks away.
As reported Sunday, President Biden, via his official X profile, stated he was bowing out of the Presidential race and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Harris now has more than enough delegates to be the party’s nominee after state delegations, Kansas included, endorsed her. Emporia State University Professor of Political Science and Chair of Social Sciences Michael Smith says Harris is the most logical option.
Smith did note there has been some conversation regarding a “contest” to decide the Democratic nominee for President, however, he feels that could lead to negative consequences for the party saying it could look “undemocratic.”
Following President Biden’s announcement Sunday, many politicians took to social media to express their thoughts with several Republican lawmakers calling for Biden’s immediate resignation as President. Smith says he does not expect a resignation to come and reminded residents that a one-term presidency was Biden’s original plan when he ran for the position four years ago.
Smith believes Biden is simply going back to the original plan which would not require him to step down. Furthermore, Smith stated with the President no longer focused on re-election he can dedicate more time and energy to leading something Biden himself stated in his note announcing his decision to withdraw from the Presidential race.
Other notable comments regarding Biden’s decision came from Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for President, who issued several statements on the matter according to an ABC News article. In his comments published on Truth Social, Trump stated Biden was “not fit to run,” and also claimed, “We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly.”
When asked if he thought Trump’s comments would negatively affect his candidacy, Smith stated he did not see a potential for any shift in voter sentiment.
As for Harris, the Vice-President has already managed to garner significant financial support, more than $80 million by Monday to be exact. The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held in Chicago, Illinois August 19-22.
