As Dems grapple with Biden as candidate, can Project 2025 give them a boost?

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join raised hands and smile looking out from the White House balcony. — WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris join hands in the air after watching the fireworks on the National Mall with First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff from the White House balcony during a 4th of July event on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2024 in Washington, DC. The President is hosting the Independence Day event for members of the military and their families. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Andrea Asuaje is a producer with “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley.”Prior to her work at GBH, she was a senior producer and show runner at Rococo Punch; and a reporter, producer and co-host of WBUR’s radio series and podcast, Kind World.

June Fergus is an intern for “Under the Radar with Callie Crossley.”

July 12, 2024

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.”

“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