Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki contended that Democrats swapping out President Joe Biden with a different candidate would be a difficult process, noting how many voters are already attached to Biden.
Psaki’s assessment on replacing Biden comes after he debated former President Donald Trump on Thursday, during which the president gave a “very bad” performance. Psaki was especially critical of Biden’s performance during the first 30 minutes of the debate, as well as how he failed to make the case for what he would do in a second term, such as securing abortion access or improving the economy.
“But there is no question the next few weeks are going to be rocky for the Biden campaign,” Psaki wrote. “There will be ongoing discussions about the possibility of an open convention, and about replacing Biden on the ticket. While that may sound like a good idea on editorial pages, it would be quite challenging to pull off. The public has already chosen Biden, and a brokered convention means party delegates — and not the public — pick the nominee (from a large field of ambitious and talented people) in what would also be a messy and divisive process.”
Going forward, Psaki encouraged the Biden campaign to work harder on winning over voters, including the mobilization of Democratic governors. Among those listed were Govs. Gavin Newsom (CA), Wes Moore (MD), and Josh Shapiro (PA) — all of whom have been floated as possible replacements for Biden in the 2024 election.
Psaki also suggested that Biden take his underperformance at the debate and use it as motivation to prove his naysayers wrong, suggesting that voters still prefer him over “creepy convict Don.” However, she stressed the need to recognize that the incumbent president is currently “the underdog.”
The idea of replacing Biden with a different candidate has been floated for some time now, though such suggestions have been largely turned down, even after the debate. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, argued in an email that the president would remain the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee and slammed “the bedwetting brigade” asking for Biden to drop out.
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Among the Democrats who have backed Biden after Thursday’s debate is Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) who argued that the president’s performance reminded him of himself when he wished he had delivered a better sermon. However, he did not give a direct answer when asked if Biden ought to take a cognitive test.
Former United Nations ambassador and former 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley has cautioned her fellow Republicans that any candidate replacing Biden would likely be someone younger, putting Democrats in a better position to beat Trump. She also predicted down-ballot lowered enthusiasm among Democrats if Biden is kept at the top of the ticket.
