Delegates and guests at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Wisconsin are making predictions about President Biden’s political future amid reports he’s considering dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. While some attendees expressed hope Biden would stay in the race, many believe he’ll ultimately step aside, and that it won’t significantly affect the election’s outcome.
One attendee stated, “I think [former President] Trump’s going to mop the floor with anybody they put up,” adding that it seemed Biden was “on the way out the door.” Another delegate echoed this sentiment, saying, “I don’t think it really matters. I think whoever they have, their bench is kind of shallow and weak right now.” Several attendees felt vindicated after predicting months ago that Biden wouldn’t ultimately be the Democratic nominee. They argued that the Democrats couldn’t afford to drop Biden from the ticket so close to the election, despite the potential for a disastrous outcome.
Others felt Biden needed to step down for the good of the party. “I think he understands, and his compatriots understand, he needs to drop out. So I think he will. I have no idea who they’re going to put up, you know, to replace him. I would hope it wouldn’t be Kamala, but I have no idea,” one delegate said.
In contrast, some attendees were open to the idea of Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, or even former First Lady Michelle Obama becoming the Democratic nominee, arguing that the Democratic Party is no longer the “party of the people.”
The attendees unanimously praised Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, following his Wednesday convention speech, describing him as “empathetic,” “high energy,” and “relatable.”
Reports from Reuters and NBC News suggest that Biden is currently considering his options, with sources close to the president saying they are “close to the end.” These reports follow earlier claims by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama that Biden should reconsider his candidacy.
The RNC has provided a platform for delegates to voice their opinions about the upcoming election, with many predicting a shift in the political landscape and a potential Biden exit from the presidential race.
