51 Days

If Joe Biden decides not to run for reelection, the pledged delegates, who were initially aligned with him, would effectively be released from their commitments. This means that at the convention August 19–22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois, those delegates would be free to vote for any candidate. The convention would then become an open contest where new candidates could emerge, and delegates could support them based on their preferences and any new endorsements or campaigns that might arise.

If Joe Biden decides not to run, the top ten names being considered as potential replacements include:

1. Kamala Harris: As the current Vice President, she is a natural successor and has significant experience in various roles, including as California’s Attorney General and Senator. However, her campaign struggles and approval ratings could be a concern​
2. Gavin Newsom: The Governor of California, Newsom has a high profile and is known for his outspoken support of Democratic policies. He has been a prominent surrogate for Biden and has a strong political base in California​
3. Gretchen Whitmer: The Governor of Michigan, Whitmer has a strong track record in a key battleground state. Her leadership during the pandemic and her advocacy for issues like abortion rights make her a strong contender​
4. Amy Klobuchar: The Senator from Minnesota and former presidential candidate has a reputation for bipartisanship and a strong national presence from her previous campaign efforts​
5. Cory Booker: The Senator from New Jersey is known for his charisma and policy expertise. He has a significant following and has previously run for president, which gives him a solid campaign infrastructure​
6. Pete Buttigieg: The Secretary of Transportation and former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg has a strong national profile from his 2020 presidential campaign and remains a popular figure within the party.
7. Elizabeth Warren: The Senator from Massachusetts has a dedicated base and strong progressive credentials, making her a potential contender if Biden steps down.
8. Bernie Sanders: Although Sanders has indicated he would support Biden if he runs, he has not completely ruled out another run if Biden opts out, especially given his significant grassroots support.
9. Stacey Abrams: Known for her voter advocacy work and strong fundraising capabilities, Abrams has a national profile and has been a key figure in Democratic efforts in Georgia.
10. J.B. Pritzker: The Governor of Illinois, Pritzker has been mentioned as a potential candidate due to his leadership in Illinois and his ability to self-fund a campaign, giving him an edge in building a national presence​

Some names outside the mainstream

1. Roy Cooper: The Governor of North Carolina has shown political resilience, winning his state even as it leaned towards Trump in the presidential election. His leadership and ability to appeal to a swing state make him a viable candidate.
2. Jared Polis: The Governor of Colorado, Polis has made a name for himself with his approach to handling the pandemic and his progressive policies. He would be a history-making candidate as the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major party.
3. Phil Murphy: The Governor of New Jersey has been active in national Democratic politics and has significant fundraising capabilities. His governance in New Jersey and involvement in national issues put him on the list of potential candidates.
4. Mark Cuban: The billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks is known for his business acumen and straightforward communication style. He has previously expressed interest in political issues and has a significant public profile​ (AOL.com)​​ (19FortyFive)
5. Howard Schultz: The former CEO of Starbucks has considered running for office before. He has a strong background in business and has been vocal about his views on political and social issues, which could position him as a viable candidate​ (AOL.com)​.

Some potential tickets: Here are a few possible Democratic alternative tickets for President and Vice President, ranking these combinations in terms of likelihood based on fundraising ability, possibility, and polling would look something like this:

Kamala Harris (President) and Pete Buttigieg (Vice President)

• Fundraising and Possibility: Both have significant name recognition and strong fundraising networks from their previous campaigns. Harris has the advantage of incumbency as Vice President, while Buttigieg is well-regarded for his articulate communication skills.
• Polling: Harris is a well-known figure, although her approval ratings have fluctuated. Buttigieg has maintained a positive public image.

Gavin Newsom (President) and Tammy Duckworth (Vice President)

• Fundraising and Possibility: Newsom has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities as Governor of California and has built a national profile. Duckworth brings a compelling personal story and military service, appealing to a broad base.
• Polling: Newsom is a recognizable figure, especially following his recall election victory. Duckworth’s profile has risen due to her advocacy on veterans’ issues.

1. Gretchen Whitmer (President) and Cory Booker (Vice President)

• Fundraising and Possibility: Whitmer has shown strong leadership in Michigan, a key swing state, and has a growing national presence. Booker has a well-established fundraising network and strong appeal among progressive and minority voters.
• Polling: Whitmer has solid approval ratings in Michigan, and Booker remains popular within the Democratic base.

Cory Booker (President) and Amy Klobuchar (Vice President)

• Fundraising and Possibility: Booker and Klobuchar both have national campaign experience and can appeal to different segments of the Democratic base. Klobuchar’s moderate stance complements Booker’s more progressive approach.
• Polling: Both have strong name recognition and generally positive approval ratings.

Elizabeth Warren (President) and Julian Castro (Vice President)

• Fundraising and Possibility: Warren has a robust grassroots fundraising base, while Castro has a solid network from his time in the Obama administration. However, Warren’s progressive stance might limit her appeal to more moderate voters.
• Polling: Warren has a strong following but also significant opposition within the party. Castro is less well-known but respected for his policy expertise.

These rankings consider the candidates’ ability to raise funds, their likelihood of running, and their current standing in public opinion.

If Joe Biden were to decide not to seek reelection, and the Democratic Party needed to select a new presidential nominee at the convention, the process for choosing a Vice President would typically unfold as follows:

1. Nominee Selection: The delegates at the convention would first select the presidential nominee through a voting process. This would involve multiple rounds of voting if no candidate receives a majority in the initial round.
2. Vice Presidential Selection: Once the presidential nominee is chosen, they would then have the responsibility of selecting their running mate. This choice is usually announced shortly after the presidential nominee is confirmed.
3. Ratification by Delegates: The Vice Presidential candidate chosen by the presidential nominee would typically be ratified by the delegates at the convention. This ratification is usually a formality, as the convention delegates almost always support the choice made by the presidential nominee.
4. Announcement: The official announcement of the Vice Presidential candidate would then be made, and the new presidential and vice presidential nominees would begin their campaign together.

This process ensures that the presidential nominee has a say in their running mate, allowing for a unified ticket that can campaign effectively together.