Explainer | Replace Biden on the 2024 presidential ticket? Why that could be tough
- US President Joe Biden says ‘let’s keep going’ after debate fuels Democratic concerns for his ticket
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US presidential debate: Biden and Trump spar over economy, war in Ukraine
There is no evidence Biden is willing to end his campaign. And it would be nearly impossible for Democrats to replace him unless he chooses to step aside. Here’s why:
Delegates bound to Biden
Every state has already held its presidential primary. Democratic rules mandate that the delegates Biden won remain bound to support him unless he tells them he’s leaving the race.
Biden indicated that he had no plans to do that, telling supporters in Atlanta shortly after he left the debate stage: “Let’s keep going”. Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt was even clearer, saying Friday: “Of course he’s not dropping out”.
The conventions and their rules are controlled by the political parties. The Democratic National Committee could convene before the convention and change how things will work, but that isn’t likely as long as Biden wants to continue seeking reelection.
The current rules read: “Delegates elected to the national convention pledged to a presidential candidate shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them”.