Major Donors Reassess Support for Joe Biden Campaign

With key financial supporters speculating and disagreeing more than ever before, Joe Biden is facing the most important point of his campaign for re-election. To some within the party, a growing chorus suggests it may be time for him to step aside as this election cycle heats up and major Democratic donors recalibrate their support ahead of the national convention.

For those wondering whether he might retire, the Biden campaign last week issued official statements reaffirming that he intends to stay in the race. The lack of a definitive answer has fed talk about possible successors and what such a transition would actually look like. There are questions, too, about how if at all this purported retirement would affect delegate support traditionally awarded by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) based on primary outcomes.

According to DNC rules, delegates can switch their votes due to “conscientious objection,” which could let Vice President Kamala Harris quickly consolidate support. She could use about $91 million in campaign funds already collected under Biden’s name alone, thereby keeping Democrats financially whole throughout the process.

There is ambivalence toward her potential candidacy shown in recent polling. An AP-NORC survey found 85% of Democrats back Harris for president; however, she enjoys only 30% approval among all Americans. Given these numbers, Democrats are wary of making it seem like they’re skipping steps through an undemocratic succession if Biden were to exit.

Joe Biden Convention Risks

One alternative could be an open convention where figures such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro or Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer might emerge as potential nominees. But this step risks further splitting a party that only has months until the general election and needs every vote particularly from African American women to defeat President Trump.

“This is just another example of how uncertain everything is right now,” said Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia Center for Politics who highlighted both Biden’s own vulnerabilities along with the strategic decisions still facing Democrats. “Meanwhile, you have Republicans led by Donald Trump who is getting stronger after surviving an assassination attempt it’s not exactly apples to apples.”

Speaking Tuesday night at a rally in Grand Rapids, Trump reveled in the newfound opportunity to go on offense against his foes. He took shots at Democrats’ handling of Biden’s campaign and their overall lack of unity, while also mocking his own party for not being unified enough themselves. His vow-filled speech showed just how different these two parties are heading into what promises to be one of the most contentious elections in American history.