The first presidential debate is done and the aftermath has not been good for the incumbent, Joe Biden.

Some Democrat politicians and operatives reportedly texted CNN commentators with hopes that Mr Biden, 81, would step aside. Some floated the possibility of going to the White House and publicly stating concerns about him remaining as candidate.

But if Mr Biden were to drop out, it would be a free-for-all. There is no official mechanism for him or anyone else in the party to choose his successor, meaning Democrats would be left with an open (Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago from August 19-22.

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    We didn’t always have a primary system, that’s relatively recent.

    In the past, the candidate would be picked at the convention after much wheeling dealing. “Smoke filled rooms” and all that.

    • dragontamer@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Yeah, and Progressives don’t like that. Heck, progressives don’t like anything. So its kind of delicious for me to see them ask for a backroom selection at the primary (throwing out all of the Primary Votes until now) and just picking something else.

      You know just as well as I do that it’d only piss off the caucus in general. Look at this topic: there’s no unity on who’d even replace Biden right now.

      • WanderingVentra@lemm.ee
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        2 days ago

        There’s a reason Progressives don’t like it. It’s that same attitude that led to Biden being picked in the first place, and Clinton before him. They pick the senior person in the Party and then elevate them through donations, the Party apparatus gives them staff, email lists, endorsements, connections to media to push them up, and more to reward them for years of service.

        People are finally realizing maybe we don’t live in a great democracy just in time to lose it. At this rate, I’ll take anyone who can beat Trump. If it’s Biden I’ll take it. But I’m not sure it is…

        • dragontamer@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          Are you sure anyone who actually gets picked in such a deal could unite the Democrats on Ukraine, Israel, Roe v Wade, LGBT, Unions, Trade issues like Biden has?

          The reason why Republican support is strong is because Republicans rally when Trump makes a mistake or stumbles. Democrats do this shit. Yall just backstab the party leader in vain attempts to pull the party left. You think Republicans aren’t keenly aware of Trump’s failings in this last debate? They’re mostly happy because of topics like this one, clearly showing Democrats are a group who get easily shaken. They know they can use this public display of worries against you guys.

          In any case, I’m voting for “Not Trump”. If its Biden, so be it. If its someone else… no promises I can vote for them too. (Biden ultimately has done a lot of stuff to pull me over from the Republican side and join your cause this year. But my vote is severely at risk if you push too far left). I’ve considered myself a lifelong Republican before this bullshit from Trump these past 8 years.

          • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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            2 days ago

            unite the Democrats on… Israel… like Biden has?

            Wut? Not being Biden on Israel is one of the major benefits of a different candidate. And all the other things are stuff the Democrats are already unified on, not some miracle of Democratic leadership.

            • dragontamer@lemmy.world
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              2 days ago

              Jamaal Bowman losing his New York Primary would like a word with you.

              Biden is closer to the Democrat mainstream.

              • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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                1 day ago

                Jamaal Bowman had one of the most extreme stances on the conflict, was in a disproportionately Jewish district, and was attacked by an unprecedented level of opposition spending from an outside group. Polls have repeated shown Democrats (and independents) not to be as supportive of Israel as Biden is. If he’s trying to lead them, it’s not working.