President Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race has sparked a wave of support for Vice President Kamala Harris within the ranks of the progressive ‘Squad’ in the House of Representatives. This group of young, outspoken Democrats, known for challenging traditional party leaders, has swiftly aligned behind Biden’s chosen successor.
Representative Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., expressed her gratitude for Biden’s service and declared her commitment to supporting Harris as the Democratic nominee. Similarly, Representative Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., who recently lost his re-election bid, declared Harris as the “most qualified and best choice” to lead the nation.
Representative Cori Bush, D-Mo., facing a challenging re-election battle herself, used the occasion to emphasize the importance of Black women in leadership, stating that Harris is “more than ready to lead at this moment.”
However, two prominent Squad members, Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., have remained silent on the matter. Notably, Tlaib has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Ocasio-Cortez, who had previously defended Biden against calls for him to step down, recently addressed the pressure he faced, blaming high-dollar Democratic donors for wanting both Biden and Harris out of the race. She explicitly stated that these donors were not interested in seeing Harris as the nominee.
Biden’s decision to bow out of the race comes amidst mounting pressure following his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. Concerns about his mental and physical fitness for another term fueled calls for him to step aside.
In a public letter, Biden acknowledged the pressure and stated his belief that it is in the best interest of both the Democratic Party and the country for him to focus on fulfilling his current term as President. This decision has undoubtedly shifted the political landscape and sets the stage for a potentially tense and unpredictable 2024 election.
