The US election is at a critical juncture and its outcome is difficult to predict. Three key questions are circulating: Will Biden follow the advice of his allies and party members and step down to avoid the Democratic Party's possible defeat to Trump? If President Biden does not step down, what options do the Democrats have? Which presidential candidates could challenge Trump, especially after the assassination attempt, which would strengthen the electoral trend in his favor?
The first question was about the possibility of Biden withdrawing based on opinions from members of his party. This question remains unresolved as Biden continues to stick to his candidacy position. However, many believe his resolve is simply the result of old-man stubbornness, rather than a well-thought-out decision. This is evident in his excuses for mistakes, gaffes, and embarrassing public moments, which are often inadequate. For example, Biden blamed his loss in the first debate with Trump on being exhausted by a hectic schedule and travel issues. Moreover, the president and his team have consistently overlooked Biden's frequent mistakes in the names of people and places, which are likely due to his deteriorating health due to old age, but which are becoming increasingly obvious to everyone.
The second question is how the party will deal with Biden's stubbornness.But it is clear that if he persists in stepping down, drastic measures may need to be taken, including withholding funding from the Democratic National Committee and other key assets to exert strong pressure on him to reconsider his position.
This process dates back to a few days before George Clooney first called on Biden to resign. Actor George Clooney's support carries a lot of weight, which is why the media emphasized it so strongly. This is due to Clooney's history of hosting large political fundraising events. In addition, Clooney organized a fundraising event in Los Angeles last month that raised $30 million for the Biden campaign. Nevertheless, Clooney expressed his disappointment after the debate, saying, “It pains me to admit this, but the Joe Biden I interacted with at a fundraising event three weeks ago was not the same Joe Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same person we all saw at the debate.”
Colony's announcement was followed by a series of announcements by prominent fundraisers. According to The New York Times, some influential Democratic donors have threatened to withhold $90 million in contributions if Biden remains at the top of the list. The Times also reported that an adviser to Future Forward, the largest pro-Biden political action committee, said that suspended donations would resume once the current uncertainty surrounding the nominee is resolved.
Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Roy O. Disney, co-founder of The Walt Disney Company, told CNBC on Thursday that she plans to stop donating to the political party she has supported for many years until Biden leaves office.
“Unless they have a top candidate to replace Biden, I will cease all contributions to the party. This is not disrespect, it's reality,” Abigail Disney said in a lengthy statement to CNBC. “Biden is a good man and has served our country well, but the risks are too great. If Biden does not step down, the Democrats will lose. I am absolutely certain of this. And the consequences of losing would be truly dire.”
Additionally, CNBC reported that philanthropist and megadonor to the Democratic Party Carla Jurvetson indicated in a private call with donors just Tuesday that she agreed with the general consensus that Biden should pause donations until he leaves office. Jurvetson is one of the top 50 donors nationally this term, giving more than $30 million to Democrats in 2020, according to the data.
Given the recent trend of politicians and donors moving away from Biden, it seems unlikely he would be able to continue his presidential campaign with reduced funding. This raises a third important question: Who will be a viable candidate to challenge Trump? Kamala Harris and some state governors were being considered as candidates, but the situation changed when Michelle Obama's name unexpectedly emerged, as predicted by Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Michelle Obama had never been interested in any public office, but is now seen as a strong candidate to challenge Trump. The Democratic Party is currently dominated by Biden supporters, but Michelle could be a formidable option if Biden decides to step down.
Michelle Obama is a more compelling choice than Kamala Harris, who is favored by the party because of her popularity among African-Americans, despite her lack of broad support and charisma. Michelle Obama's candidacy solves this problem for the Democratic Party. As an African-American woman who came from a working-class background in Chicago, attended Harvard Law School, and became a successful lawyer, grassroots activist, and highly respected First Lady, she embodies the qualities necessary to win the support of voters. Furthermore, Michelle Obama is likely to gain support from the Obama voting coalition, which includes young people, minorities, and women, potentially helping to carry the candidate to victory. If Biden steps down and Michelle decides to enter the race, she will have a major advantage. Barack Obama's enduring popularity and unparalleled charisma would be a great asset to the race. The question is whether the Democratic Party can navigate this difficult situation, eliminate Biden, and position Michelle Obama as the dark horse of the 2024 US presidential election.
Dr. Marwa El Sinawi – scholar and author
