The 2024 election is more than an entire year away, and yet it’s just around the corner all the same. Democrats are starting to sweat a bit due to low approval ratings. This doesn’t help the concerns over his age, too, as Biden is the oldest president to have ever held office, still sitting in the oval office at the age of 80.
There are many U.S worries about Biden’s chances, though most are certain that Biden will still be the Democratic nominee in 2024. Not to mention, the two opponents, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson, aren’t really ringing with Democrat voters.
So, if Biden were to step out of the ring unexpectedly, who would come up to the plate? Well, here are some alternatives you may want to mull over as the time approaches.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Those of you who might be a fan of Ocasio-Cortez might be pausing and thinking to yourself, “Wait, isn’t the minimum age to become president 35? How old is she?” She is 33, but turns 34 this October. That means that she’ll be turning 35 around three weeks before the 2024 election. Talk about timing.
She stated in July that she believes Biden has done well given the limitations, and that she endorses him.
She’s an extremely divisive politician, that much is for sure, and while detractors will call her an extremist and generally unelectable with the forceful manner in which she pushes for left-wing policies, she’s still a huge name among Democrats, especially the younger generation, who came out in waves last presidential election to let their thoughts be known.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“Why Not Whitmer?” is a phrase that has been making the rounds, and for good reason. She has a broad likability when it comes to Democrats, her focus being on problem-solving rather than politics. Remember her slogan “fix the damn roads” back in 2018? Not to mention, she had made stances on several issues that have made her generally liked among Democrats, such as her defense of abortion rights. She may not be as well-noticed as the other candidates on this list, but she’s a viable candidate all the same. Let’s just hope another kidnapping plot doesn’t take place again.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
Buttigieg has already run before, so we’re fairly familiar with his policies. He’s a very well-spoken and intelligent man, and though he wasn’t too much of a serious contender, he still managed to catch everyone’s attention on screen. However, he has faced some opposition due to mistakes in the past, such when it took him three weeks to visit Ohio after a serious train derailment. Not to mention, his performance among black voters is fairly poor. Despite this, he does have a chance to win back public opinion should he run again.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s name has been appearing in and out of the media as a potential contender for Biden. He catches a lot of attention, such as when he bought time on the TV to attack Florida Republican Governor Ron Desantis. He’s also gained favor for having rather open criticisms of his own party and even of Biden, which can garner the favor of centrists. He’s energetic and very progressive, two attractive qualities to Democrats, and although there is a chance he may not actually run in 2024, he’s made it clear he wants to be a part of the national stage at some point in the future.
Vice President Kamala Harris
We now come to the obvious choice. Even if she isn’t the most popular, she’s the choice everyone is already thinking of the moment they think of Biden exiting the race. However, she’s gained a lot of criticism and has been put under an intense lense because of just how high she is on the American stage. We already have seen her stances on many policies, as well as how she handles the public, but it’s up to the voters to see if they find her satisfactory. Not to mention, her rather disappointing campaign end is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
