Wavering and incoherent. And, according to some, painful to watch.
President Joe Biden's weak debate performance is causing panic within the Democrats in the USA. Discussions about replacing him with another candidate before the autumn's presidential election are being reported.
Painful. I love Joe Biden. I've worked for Joe Biden. This didn't go well at all.
The Democratic strategist and CNN commentator Van Jones was visibly taken after the debate between the president and challenger Donald Trump.
He's not alone. The TV duel hadn't even ended before the discussion between high-ranking party representatives and major donors was underway.
Disaster. Worse than I thought was possible. Everyone I talk to thinks Biden should throw in the towel, says a donor who planned to participate in a fundraising event with Biden over the weekend and who wants to remain anonymous to the TV channel CNBC.
A Thankless Task
However, getting a candidate replacement is very difficult as long as Joe Biden himself wants to continue his campaign – which, at present, seems to be the case. The presidential candidate is formally appointed at the party convention in Chicago on August 19-22 by delegates who, through the results of the spring's primary elections, are personally bound to the 81-year-old.
Changing the convention rules requires a decision by the party leadership in good time before the meeting, which is unlikely to happen as long as Biden wants to run. The situation is complicated by the fact that the party plans to conduct the delegate voting digitally before the actual convention.
Step one would therefore be to persuade the president to step aside. Whether such a thankless task would fall to President's wife Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, or party chairman Jaime Harrison is already being discussed.
Unity at the Convention?
If Joe Biden de facto throws in the towel, all his delegates will be unbound, and the convention must agree on a new presidential candidate during the four days it takes place. This hasn't happened since 1960. Biden's vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris won't automatically take over her boss's delegates, but she can run and would likely have a good chance if the president backs her.
But there are other high-profile Democrats lurking, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Transportation Minister Pete Buttigieg, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Whoever wants to snatch an eventual candidacy must court the state delegations intensively, likely a 24/7 job at the convention.
If Biden were to drop out after the convention but before the election on November 5, party chairman Harrison would have to consult with Democratic governors and congressmen before a replacement can be appointed, writes The Wall Street Journal.
Formally founded: 1828
Symbol: Donkey
Has historically been strong among craftsmen and workers in cities, farmers in the west and south, as well as ethnic minorities. Has also had significant support among liberal academics. Support from the south has decreased, and now the party is strongest in the populous states along the USA's west and east coasts.
Has, compared to the Republicans, greater trust in the state to create welfare and build systems for education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Democratic presidents since 1950:
Harry S Truman 1945–53
John F Kennedy 1961–63
Lyndon B Johnson 1963–69
Jimmy Carter 1977–81
Bill Clinton 1993–2001
Barack Obama 2009–2017
Joe Biden 2021–
