In the midst of this unprecedented election cycle, President Joe Biden’s current state is often described as that of a man deeply troubled, grappling with a mix of depression, confusion, and anger. His recent actions highlight this turmoil: one moment he insists he will remain in the presidential race as the Democratic nominee, and the next, he steps aside.
There have been numerous reports suggesting Biden harbors deep resentment toward figures like Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and former President Barack Obama, whom he blames for his political downfall. Politico recently revealed that Biden sees Pelosi as particularly ruthless in orchestrating his exit.
The true reasons behind Biden’s withdrawal might eventually come to light. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the Democratic nominee, a historic first where a candidate has been appointed without winning primaries. Before this, many Democrats had expressed a preference for an open convention with Harris as a key contender, a scenario that did not materialize, resulting in over 14 million votes for Biden being disregarded.
Supporters of Harris claim it was a “Biden-Harris” primary, but this view is mostly held by her most ardent backers. The mainstream media has largely accepted Harris’s candidacy, despite her frequent avoidance of press interactions.
If Republican leaders were to similarly maneuver behind closed doors, persuading Trump to exit and elevating Sen. JD Vance while installing former Gov. Nikki Haley as his running mate, it would undoubtedly provoke an outcry, deemed “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
This scenario remains unlikely. I anticipate that as the campaign progresses past Labor Day, Trump will gradually gain ground on Harris. Voters may start to recall the relative stability of the Trump administration and become disenchanted with Harris, whose limited media presence and past performance as a candidate may further undermine her appeal.
Given the bizarre nature of this election cycle, the prospect of Biden’s potential resignation or the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove him from office could become increasingly plausible. The situation might even escalate to Biden resigning outright during the Democratic convention, a move that, while extraordinary, seems within the realm of possibility in this tumultuous political landscape.