by A growing number of Democrats are urging Joe Biden to drop his re-election campaign and make way for a younger challenger after a series of embarrassing antics and underwhelming performances, particularly his recent debate performance.
Concerns have grown in recent weeks, with the president attracting criticism from politicians, donors, insiders – and Telegraph readers.
In an exclusive poll by The Telegraph, 88 per cent of more than 73,000 voters believe Mr Biden should stand aside.
Reader Andrew Ravenscroft agrees with the majority. “Biden has lost whatever mental capacity he had. I wouldn’t trust him to feed the cat and yet he might be POTUS for another four years. He shouldn’t stand again, he should resign now and put his country first, like Harold Wilson did here in the 70s,” he says.
Elizabeth Watts shared the same view: “I feel really sad and sorry for Joe Biden, but he’s letting his ego get in the way of his country’s interest.
“He believes he can win in November. Democrats will vote heavily for whoever is nominated. Kamala Harris is nothing short of amazing, and polls have shown her with higher numbers than Joe Biden. It would be an abuse of seniority to let this guy take another four years.”
As there is speculation regarding the replacement of Mr. Biden, The Telegraph asked its readers in a poll which Democrat they think could be Donald Trump in the presidential election.
Michelle Obama came out on top with 59 percent of the vote; 23 per cent of almost 38,000 voters chose ‘none of the above’; and Gavin Newsom followed with 6 percent of the vote.
It comes as a Reuters and Ipsos survey showed the former first lady, 60, would beat Trump by 10 points, with no other potential candidate beating the former president.
Although many readers see Mrs. Obama as a strong potential replacement for Mr. Biden, because of her intelligence, values and age, she remains a polarizing figure. Others express concern about her lack of experience.
‘Energy, good sense and honesty’
Reader Irene Tuckett explains why she would like to see Mrs. Obama as president: “I admire her for her intelligence and her values. I’m sure she wouldn’t stand if she didn’t believe it was the right thing to do. She has plenty of other worthwhile projects in her life.
She says: “Despite the naysayers, it is a fact that America desperately needs a viable presidential candidate who is not a failing old man or a delusional meddler.”
Describing the positive impact Mrs Obama would have as president, another anonymous reader says: “She would bring some energy, common sense and honesty to the office”.
In the same way, John Anderson believes that the former first lady “would be good for the White House” because she would reject the “Trump threat” and unite a divided USA. “She has relative youth on her side and may begin to heal the wounds of much of the American population, black or white.”
However, Huw Jenkins criticizes Mrs Obama’s theoretical candidacy for not being “based on her own merits” but “only because of her husband”.
He continues: “It’s as if we had a potential prime minister based on being married to a former prime minister, that would be unusual.”
Reader Duncan Maggs highlights why this makes her unqualified to hold the office: “She is an accomplished woman, although she is a smart woman, Michelle Obama has no experience to my knowledge of governing at the local or state level in the States United, even, it seems not. a wise choice.”
Others caveat how Mrs. Obama has consistently refused calls to join the political fray, and her reluctance has been well documented.
Ann Fox, for example, says: “But she is always adamant that she does not want to go into politics. I think this is a way for her husband to continue being vice president!”
‘There is no recognizable talent’
Despite polls showing support for the former first lady flowing further than other potential candidates such as Ms Harris, by convention all party funds raised are dependent on being for Mr Biden’s presidential campaign or his benefit – president If the Democratic Party confirms another candidate the $100 million in funds must be returned – unless the donors allow them to be transferred to the new nominee.
I Millet argues that the nomination goes to Ms. Harris to prevent headaches for the Democrats: “If they don’t disenfranchise the millions of Democratic voters who nominated Biden, they have to support Kamala Harris. All the money collected would have to be returned to the donors and they would have to start from scratch. Democrats must follow their own rules or risk alienating many of their base.”
Most readers are not convinced about the vice president’s abilities, including Ronald R, who considers the following: “Kamala Harris is the most likely choice. Why? Because she is technically number two and there would be general anger among large sections of the Democratic Party if she were to be sidelined.
“The problem is, Kamala Harris is hopeless, unpopular and has no discernible talent other than producing meaningless word salads. What makes it all worse is that she is a black woman. It would be seen as heresy to throw her aside for a white man in a party that thrives and wakes him up.”
Similarly, Kevin Brettle doubts Ms Harris has proved herself a stateswoman fit for the world stage. He said: “She cannot control a conversation, let alone the most powerful and successful country in the world. Will she laugh uncontrollably if she meets Vladimir Putin? Come on America.”
She has also become the subject of ridicule for her motivational phrase, ”what can be, unburdened by what has happened.”
However, the phrase applies to reader Ray Sargent for portraying a message of genesis despite past adversity. He says: “The ‘no burden’ statement seems rather simple to me. Certainly it means don’t let what happened in the past affect what can be done. Blakey way to put it, true, but not unintelligible.”
And Ron Velten is convinced that Ms. Harris can face the challenge of beating Trump: “Vice President Harris could beat Mr. Trump on the hand, after several months of campaigning.”
Ms. Harris could certainly be president by default. The 25th Amendment provides a mechanism to remove the president from his duties if he is unable to carry them out properly.
As Jerry Markham sums it up: “If Biden is forced to resign from the 25th Amendment, Harris will be the legal replacement.”
