(IntegrityTimes.com) – Concern over whether President Biden will still be the nominee in November has ramped up due the recent announcement that he has Covid.
That concern has been answered. Biden announced on Sunday, July 21, that he is dropping out of the race and giving his endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Prior to Biden’s announcement, Harris had yet to indicate whether she intended to replace him as the Democrat presidential nominee. The polls and betting markets, though, are showing signs that she could be a strong candidate against former president Donald Trump. Some surveys show Harris performing better than Biden or other potential Democratic nominees against Trump.
Many of Biden’s supporters seem reluctant to consider replacing the president on the November ticket despite increasing support for Harris. Speculation about whether Biden could sustain a grueling presidential campaign, or the difficult job of another term, has been rife. As in other elections, the betting market is keeping a narrow eye on the unfolding situation. BetOnline is now giving Harris better odds of winning the presidential race than Biden. Biden contracting covid and then temporarily leaving the campaign trail (prior to his announcement) had significant impact on the odds, as well. Harris’s odds are now +425, and Biden’s +575, indicating that at least the betting market sees her as a better choice against Trump.
Grassroots Democrats, however, are less interested in betting odds and appreciate Harris for her percieved loyalty to Biden and her public representation for his administration. Her firm defense of Biden during and after the debates has made her a critical part of his campaign. She has also championed various Democratic nominees down the ballot, as well as advocated for key party platform issues like universal legal abortion and the expansion of voting rights.
There had been increasing pressure from some Democrats for Biden to step down. Many believed that if Biden were to step aside that Harris would have real potential as a presidential nominee. Polling indicates she has broad appeal across different voter demographics including women and people of color. The betting odds seem to indicate that the idea that she could be the Democrat’s best chance to retain the White House is not limited to hopeful Democrats.
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