The calls for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential campaign are growing louder. Is Vice President Kamala Harris growing traction as the top pick for 2024?
“Going into the fall, the thing that will guarantee or will most guarantee victory for Democrats is unity. So at this point, the question really is how can the party go into the fall unified?” said Jerold Duquette, professor of political science and director of the Public Policy and Management Concentration at Central Connecticut State University. “And unless the president decides that, you know, his withdrawal is a possibility, there’s really no option but to try to get back around the president.”
According to Erin O’Brien, associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, a Biden resignation could lead to a tumultuous yet engaging electoral contest.
“In all likelihood, Vice President Harris will have an open convention,” said O’Brien. “It’ll be messy and it’ll be ugly, and it’ll be really compelling television. But at least they have a chance to go down with a fight.”
More broadly, the 2024 election may raise questions about the state of American democracy.
“We love this horse-race politics. Who’s up? Who’s down? And it’s never very clear about policies,” said Luis Jiménez, associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
For instance, the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Plan has thus far remained relatively unknown to voters.
“Project 2025 wants to have a pro-life task force. It states that men and women are the ideal family, the FDA should no longer approve the abortion drug — you must get it in person — increased school choice work requirements for food stamps,” O’Brien said. “They want to deconstruct the administrative state on day one.”
It’s a full hour of national, state and local politics this week on Under the Radar with Callie Crossley featuring the Mass Politics Profs.
GUESTS
Luis Jiménez, associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
Erin O’Brien, associate professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
Jerold Duquette, professor of political science and director of the Public Policy and Management Concentration at Central Connecticut State University
