An Unprecedented Decision
How this decision may not be the first but still very unique
By Robert U. Nulton
Last Updated: July 22, 2024 at 1:53 pm EST
While the decision to not run for a second term is hardly considered to be a first time, the decision to not run this late in the process does make it unique and interesting to navigate. At such a volatile time in our nation's history, the decision to not run comes on the heels of high-profile Democrats calling on President Biden to drop out and allow the younger generation to lead. After a poor debate performance, many voters and politicians began to realize that President Biden was not "firing on all cylinders" meaning that he was having a difficult time defending his record and fighting back against Trump when multiple opportunities to do so were well within his grasp. Unable to form coherent sentences at times, this worried many in the country and left them wondering if President Biden could still lead the country at his age. Being the oldest President who has ever held this office, he has a lot to consider as he may not have the energy to give his all anymore after 50 years of political service.
The question now is "Can Kamala Harris pick up the mantle and carry it to the finish line?" Many Democrats believe so and are feeling relieved and reinvigorated just a day after the official announcement from President Biden that he will not be running for President in 2024. Due to the timing of this decision, it will make the nomination process a historical one as a nomination from the convention floor will have to occur and many can only hope that only Vice President Harris will receive it and not have any opposition from any other potential individuals who might be able to also carry that mantle to the finish line for Democrats in November. If Kamala Harris is chosen as the Democratic Nominee come August 19th, who will be her running mate? It would be in her best interest to make that decision before the convention by choosing a popular running mate from a swing state, similar to what Trump did, to ensure her nomination at the Democratic National Convention. By doing this ahead of time, she can show Democrats and the nation that she can act quickly when a high-stress situation is presented to her and that she can unite the party quickly during that time.
The choice of her running mate will have a huge impact on her ability to rise ahead of Trump in the polls and remain ahead heading into the election this fall. It will also be important for her to pace herself and ensure that she watches what she says between now and election days as she has had a history of gaffs just like her predecessor, President Biden. The last thing she wants to do is come off as unable to adequately speak to the American people and properly address the issues most important to them. One issue in particular that many will test her on will be the border as there are individuals who question her ability to control the issues happening at the border. Republicans have criticized her performance as "the Border Czar" under President Biden. Many do not have faith in her ability to lead and put the important issues of the people first. It is expected that she will put a greater focus on abortion and women's rights as she heads toward, possibly, becoming the Democratic Nominee for President. If she can keep critics away from discussing the border, she may have a chance to prove her ability to lead the nation during this critical time. But if she participates in the border discussion throughout her campaign, it might prove to be a hindrance to her and her staff as they navigate their way to November and beating former President Donald Trump.
As Democrats prepare to push Kamala into the spotlight, the other issue that needs to be figured out is how to reapportion Biden's Campaign funds as they have been given to his campaign and cannot be transferred to another candidate, even if they are running for the same office. It would need to be given back to donors or given to the DNC to then use for campaigns of its choosing. This will be the harder issue to decide and figure out as it will take some time so things are done legally and do not call her into any financial legal questions. Immediately following President Biden's announcement, many high-profile donors and politicians who held off in supporting and donating to President Biden's campaign, have since moved quickly to support and donate to Vice President Kamala Harris as she has a short time to get the funds needed to continue to run for President. Democrats are hopeful that she will be able to pick up speed and keep that momentum up leading into the Democratic National Convention. Even though President Biden has offered his endorsement of her campaign for President, this does not mean that she is the official nominee. That will have to wait until August 19, 2024, when the Democratic National Convention convenes to address this matter and choose their official nominee so they can move their message of unity forward to the American people.
As was stated above, this is not the first time a candidate decided to not seek the nomination of their party for President of the United States. President Lyndon B. Johnson made this very decision in March of 1968 directly after delivering a televised address to the American people. The difference between his decision and that of President Biden is that President Johnson made his decision at the beginning of the Primary Election season versus directly before the nominating convention. That is what makes President Biden's decision so unique and historic at the same time. It was just five years after announcing he would not seek another term that President Johnson passed away from his fifth heart attack. It is widely believed that had he won another term, he may not have made it through that term due to his health.
1952 is another example of when a sitting President decided to not run for office again. President Harry Truman decided not to run for a second term as President due to the state of the economy at that time and having poor polling numbers. Due to this decision, Senator Adlai Stevenson won the Democratic Nomination after a multi-ballot convention had taken place. In the end, the Democrats lost to then General Dwight D. Eisenhower who coined the famous term, "I LIKE IKE!" President Eisenhower went on to win another term as President and seemed to enjoy some good years as President of the United States. His experience as General during World War II was a major help to him as President. The major difference between President Biden and the decision made to not run for a second term by President Johnson and President Truman is that President Biden had the nomination all wrapped up and just needed to abide his time until the Democratic National Convention and receive the official nomination. Having made it through the primary election season as the winner and bowing out now is unprecedented and creates an interesting situation that Democrats have not had to deal with in American History.
A Reuters poll indicating that President Biden's disapproval rating was at 57% made it a decision that may have saved Democrats from losing in the fall to former President Donald Trump. Time is still on the candidates' sides as they have 3 more months to prove to the voters that they can lead the country into the future and secure a nation enshrouded in a flailing economy and rising grocery and gas prices. Reuters shows that the American people feel inclined to believe that former President Trump can bring back a better economy for the country but that President Biden can better lead the country when it comes to diplomacy. But, Can Vice President Harris show that she can lead over Trump or Biden? Biden's poor debate performance led many Democrats to call on President Biden to step down as the potential Democratic Nominee.
President Theodore Roosevelt decided not to run in 1908 after serving almost two full terms as Vice President and then serving as President due to President McKinley being assassinated just a few months into his first term as President of the United States. President Roosevelt regretted this decision after his hand-picked successor didn't live up to his ideals and standards which brought him back to politics, running for President under the Bull Moose Party (a third party). President Roosevelt did not win the election, causing many Republicans to dissent from voting for his successor and leading to the Democrats winning the Presidency with Woodrow Wilson. This shows the impact that a third-party candidate can have on an election. Other presidents such as Calvin Coolidge and James Polk also decided to step down, even when they were popular, deciding to stick to their decision to only be a one-term President. President George Washington set the precedent, even before the 22nd Amendment was created (after President Franklin Roosevelt had already won and passed away during a 4th term). Biden's decision to only serve one term will affect the Presidency and what happens next in the political landscape of the United States for years to come. It will be years before we see what effect this decision will have on the future of the country and the presidency.
© Copyright Our Voice Our Day