As the US presidential election fast approaches, key Democrats are calling for President Biden to go. – We now see even the clergy in the Democrats’ party pressuring Biden. In reality, he cannot continue without the support of the party, says professor of political science Hilmar Mjelde. But the president still insists that he is continuing the election campaign. If Biden turns, it will be the first time in history that a sitting president withdraws as a presidential candidate so close to the election. Here are some of the candidates who could take over his election campaign: Kamala Harris Even if Biden were to withdraw as a presidential candidate, this does not mean that the current vice-president Kamala Harris (59) will automatically replace him. Nevertheless, there are many indications that she can take over. – It is practically and legally easier for Kamala Harris to take over for Biden, because she gets access to the money from the election campaign, says Sofie Høgestøl to news. – If they open up so that everyone can vote now, so close to the election, the Democrats risk tearing the party apart, she adds. Kamala Harris is the most likely Photo: Kevin Mohatt / Reuters In addition, Kamala Harris is known to most people in the US from before. Another candidate will be forced to spend the next four months making himself known. – Harris must be seen as the clear favourite. A vice-president is a spare wheel and the air is at full speed out of the Biden candidacy, says Hilmar Mjelde, professor of political science at the University of Western Norway. The fact that there is so little time until the election plays an important role. – It is actually far too late to change the presidential candidate now, there is no time to have a full nomination election process, says news’s foreign correspondent Tove Bjørgaas. At the same time, Kamala Harris has been criticized for not doing a good enough job in top politics. It can lead to someone wanting to bet on someone completely new. A new and somewhat unknown candidate can thus spend the next few months making himself known, without being blamed for a potential election defeat. Gavin Newsom Governor of California Gavin Newsom (56) is another candidate who is being put forward as a possible replacement for Biden. Newsom is a former mayor of San Francisco, and was one of the first to express support for Biden after the debate against Donald Trump in Atlanta in June. California Governor Gavin Newsom is a former mayor of San Francisco and is popular among Democrats. Photo: Steven Senne / AP He has also been open that he will stand as a presidential candidate in the next presidential election in 2028. Newsom, on the other hand, has said that he will not be Harris’s “running mate” if she replaces Biden as presidential candidate for the Democrats. Gretchen Whitmer Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (52) has been highlighted several times as a strong candidate for the next presidential election in 2028. She has good support within the party. Gretchen Whitmer is governor of Michigan, but will not be a vice-presidential candidate if Harris replaces Biden in the election campaign. Photo: Al Goldis / AP In common with Newsom, Whitmer is also said to have said that she does not want to be Kamala Harris’s right-hand man at the end of the election campaign, writes Newsweek. This despite the fact that she stated on Tuesday this week that she was positive about the role. – Why don’t they want to stand as vice-presidential candidates? – The question becomes who wants to enter the burning plot Harris already owns, says Sofie Høgestøl. Not everyone is open to entering an already shaky election campaign, she explains. JB Pritzker The governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker (59) is also highlighted as a possible replacement for Biden, in an overview from The New York Times. Pritzker has emerged as a strong counter voice to former President Donald Trump. The harsh criticism of Trump has made him popular among the Democrats. Multi-billionaire JB Pritzker is governor of Illinois. Photo: Chris Young / AP Pritzker will also have close to NOK 40 billion in his books, and is thus the richest member of parliament in the USA. Michelle Obama and other candidates In the speculation about current Biden replacements, former first lady Michelle Obama has also been mentioned. Although she has done well in some opinion polls, USA expert Høgestøl does not think that Michelle Obama is a likely presidential candidate. – She has made it very clear that she does not want to engage in politics, says Høgestøl. Michelle Obama has always denied that she wants to be president. Photo: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / AP US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who stood for election in 2020, is also being highlighted as a possible candidate. So will California governor Jared Polis and Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, as well as the two senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker. Shapiro (51) is the youngest on the bookmakers’ lists of possible candidates, in the New York Times overview. He has made a mark with Israel support and criticism of the students in the US demonstrations in support of Palestine. Published 19.07.2024, at 21.35
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